Silicon Valley tech firm apologises for sexist stunt after backlash at industry event

Palo Alto Networks, a major Silicon Valley tech company, has issued an apology after it came under fire for a controversial marketing stunt at an industry event in Las Vegas.

The company faced backlash after photos emerged showing models in skimpy outfits with lampshades covering their heads, being used as human lamp stands during a networking event at the Black Hat conference.

Nikesh Arora, CEO of Palo Alto Networks, expressed regret over what he called a “misguided attempt to welcome guests,” admitting that the use of the lantern-wearing hostesses was inappropriate. Unnikrishnan KP, the company’s chief marketing officer, echoed that sentiment, calling the decision “inappropriate, inappropriate, and out of line with our company’s values.”

The incident has sparked a debate about Silicon Valley’s ongoing “macho” culture, a term used to describe a male-dominated, often misogynistic environment that has been the subject of criticism for years. Olivia Rose, a cybersecurity consultant, condemned the incident on LinkedIn, highlighting the ongoing challenges women face in the tech industry. She criticized the company for reducing women to mere props, noting that some female employees were too afraid to voice their concerns about the decision.

The tech industry has long been plagued by allegations of gender discrimination and exclusionary practices. Emily Chang says in her book ProtopiaThis book explores the dark side of Silicon Valley culture, including its impact on women working in the sector. The Palo Alto Networks incident has drawn comparisons to outdated practices like the use of “booth girls,” which were phased out in the early 2000s but persisted far too long.

In response to the controversy, Palo Alto Networks launched an internal investigation to determine how the decision was made and ensure similar mistakes are not repeated. However, some critics on social media questioned the sincerity of the company’s apology, noting that it lacked a direct acknowledgement of the sexism and misogyny behind the stunt.