German-Finnish internet anti-hero Kim Dotcom is perhaps one of the most eccentric, and divisive, figures in tech history. A serial cybercriminal to some, an large-than-life legend to others. You either love him or you hate him.
Either way, boy does he know how to generate headlines. News broke this week that Dotcom is being extradited to the US to face criminal charges related to his defunct file-sharing service Megaupload. In 2012, US authorities accused Dotcom of conspiracy to commit racketeering, wire fraud, copyright infringement, and racketeering in relation to the website.
Since then, the multi-millionaire has been hiding out in New Zealand, living a life of opulence. Now his past has come back to bite him. He could face up to 55 years in prison if convicted on all charges.
Kim Dotcom has described himself as an “internet freedom fighter” and claims he had no control over what users uploaded on his website. The tech founder has vehemently denied any wrongdoing. “Don’t worry I have a plan,” Dotcom posted on X this week, in response to the ruling.
Who is Kim Dotcom? The <3 of EU tech The latest rumblings from the EU tech scene, a story from our wise ol' founder Boris, and some questionable AI art. It's free, every week, in your inbox. Sign up now! Born Kim Schmitz, the internet entrepreneur rose to fame as a teenage hacker in the 1990s, who flexed his skills by breaching the likes of NASA, the Pentagon, and Citibank.
He became a self-proclaimed “tech millionai.