This article profiles Chema Alonso, a prominent figure in the Spanish technology scene, whose career has been marked by both significant achievements and considerable controversy. He is often described as either a visionary guru or a charlatan, a perception fueled by his unconventional image and high-profile projects.
Alonso's career took off after Telefónica acquired his company, Informática 64. His rapid ascent within the company, coupled with his growing media presence, made him the face of Telefónica's modernization efforts. He held numerous executive positions, managing substantial budgets. However, projects like Aura (later Kemel), aimed at giving users more control of their data, proved unsuccessful.
Other projects, such as Movistar Home, also fell short of expectations. His response to the WannaCry ransomware attack in 2017 drew internal criticism, leading to a decline in his standing within Telefónica. His high salary and relocation to an exclusive neighborhood further added to the controversy.
Alonso's departure from Telefónica followed the change in company leadership. He accepted a position with Cloudflare, a company accused by LaLiga of facilitating online piracy of football matches – a conflict further exacerbated by Alonso's prior role as advisor to the Spanish football referees' committee. This situation led to his resignation from the advisory position.
His story showcases the complexities of success and failure in the high-stakes world of technology and business, highlighting the intense scrutiny and potential for conflict when reputation and significant financial interests are involved.