Become a Member
News

Banned by the rabbi, bought by Microsoft

July 30, 2015 12:11
(PIcture: Flickr/mikemozart)

By

Josh Jackman,

Josh Jackman

1 min read

Microsoft has bought a company founded by an entrepreneur from a strictly Orthodox sect that has banned Facebook and other social media sites.

Shloma Baum, a member of the Satmar Chasidic community in New York, taught himself computer languages before creating FieldOne Systems, which has just been sold for an undisclosed amount.

As well as banning sites such as Twitter and Instagram, his sect said in 2014 that messaging software WhatsApp was the "number one cause of the destruction of Jewish homes and business".

Mr Baum's company's software helps ensure staff sent away on jobs are properly equipped and are on time.

To get more news, click here to sign up for our free daily newsletter.

Editor’s picks