From Business Insider · Thibault Spirlet · · 2m
The spy who seduced a tech CEO
As Nvidia's board investigates whether CEO Jensen Huang was targeted by Chinese intelligence through a romantic relationship, security experts explain how honeypotting works and how executives can protect themselves.
In brief
As Nvidia's board investigates whether CEO Jensen Huang was targeted by Chinese intelligence through a romantic relationship, security experts explain how honeypotting works and how executives can protect themselves. Nvidia's board is investigating whether CEO Jensen Huang was targeted by Chinese intelligence through…
Nvidia CEO under investigation
Nvidia's board is investigating whether CEO Jensen Huang was the target of a foreign intelligence effort.
How honeypotting works
According to Will Geddes, founder of International Corporate Protection Group, operatives may spend months studying a target's pattern of life before engineering a meeting at a conference or through someone the executive already trusts.
The woman linked to Huang
Alice Huang, a former executive at Nvidia customer Megaspeed, is linked to Jensen Huang.US officials believe she was an asset of China's Ministry of State Security recruited to collect intelligence on Huang.
Timeline of their meetings
Jensen and Alice Huang were seen together in photos dating back to June 2024 at an after-party following Computex 2024 in Taiwan.
Questions to ask yourself
Eric O'Neill, a former FBI counterintelligence operative, says executives should ask: Who initiated contact?How quickly did it develop?What does the person know about your business, finances, travel, and personal life?
Red flags to watch for
Will Geddes says executives should be alert if a new partner seems unusually attractive, initiates contact, or accelerates intimacy faster than expected. Also watch for someone who repeatedly controls where and when you meet.
“Even sharp, experienced decision-makers can lose their judgement in the presence of someone attractive.”
Protective measures
Executives should verify a new partner's identity and background before allowing them into their home or professional orbit.
Rare but established tactics
Documented cases of major corporate leaders falling for foreign operatives are rare, but the tactics are well established.
Market impact and uncertainty
The news has roiled markets and led to widespread speculation about whether Huang will have to step down as CEO.
“The oldest tricks in the espionage playbook still work.”
The bottom line
Nvidia's board is investigating whether CEO Jensen Huang was targeted by Chinese intelligence through a romantic affair, reviving an old espionage tactic in the age of AI and corporate secrets.
