Honey Trap Spy Tactic Topples Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang resigned Thursday after admitting an extramarital affair with a woman U.S. intelligence identified as a Chinese spy, an espionage tactic known as a honey trap. The resignation follows revelations reported by the New York Times, which NPR has not independently confirmed. The woman, Alice Huang, is a Chinese businesswoman whose company Megaspeed was a major buyer of Nvidia chips. U.S. surveillance linked her to Chinese state security, though experts note she may be a "white glove" front-person rather than a professional spy. China dismissed the accusations as smears. Honey traps have a long history in Chinese espionage, targeting businessmen and officials for intelligence or influence. Similar tactics were used by Russia, East Germany, and Israel, though cyber methods have become more prevalent. The case highlights persistent human vulnerabilities despite widespread awareness of such operations.