**Nepotism in Tech Industry? Microsoft Employee’s Viral Video Sparks Debate**
*By Akash Pandey | Sep 18, 2025, 6:23 PM*
—
**What’s the Story?**
Ume Habiba, a software engineer at Microsoft, recently brought attention to the issue of nepotism in Silicon Valley through a viral Instagram video. She claimed that many people secure positions at top tech companies not based on merit, but rather through family connections.
“Corporate nepotism is a thing, especially in Silicon Valley,” Habiba stated in her video. She added that some individuals are hired despite lacking the necessary technical skills simply because “their parents got them there.”
—
**Industry Critique: Habiba’s Claims on Nepotism**
Habiba highlighted that while nepotism is often linked to the entertainment industry, it is equally prevalent in big tech. According to her, many managing directors in Silicon Valley engage in mutual favoritism to secure jobs or internships for their children. She mentioned a common practice: “I’ll hire your kid if you hire mine.”
—
**Hiring Loopholes: Impact of Nepotism**
The Microsoft engineer alleged that children from the Bay Area can obtain positions at leading tech firms without going through the standard hiring processes. She pointed out that when interviews do occur, they tend to be brief and lack technical rigor.
Concluding her video on a pragmatic note, Habiba advised viewers that “there’s no point crying about it” and urged people to “play the cards they have been dealt.”
—
**Public Response: Mixed Reactions**
Habiba’s video has sparked diverse reactions online. Some users agreed with her observations, while others minimized the issue.
One commenter wrote, “They say that the zip code you grow up in dictates your life. Makes sense.” Another user remarked, “Executives make up 1-2% of any company. Their kids may occupy a single spot on a team of 100+. I’m not stressed about one nepo kid.”
—
**Ongoing Discourse: The Debate Continues**
The conversation around nepotism in the tech industry remains active. Supporters of merit-based hiring defended the system, whereas others shared anecdotes of unqualified individuals gaining opportunities due to connections.
“I know for a fact I worked with many who were not skilled enough to hold positions. Yet they had opportunities,” one user commented. Another added, “It will happen everywhere, even you would do that. So just accept it.”
—
As this debate unfolds, the tech world continues to grapple with the balance between meritocracy and the influence of personal connections.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/business/microsoft-engineer-slams-silicon-valley-nepotism/story
