Opinion: Goodbye, Mr. Chips — Silicon Valley’s Sexpionage Blind Spot

Spy stories in the home

The columnist describes a World War II poster warning that careless conversation can cost lives, alongside an image of Tatiana Romanova from “From Russia With Love.” The writer also mentions “Black Doves,” a Netflix thriller about a spy married to Britain’s prime minister. A DVD of Alfred Hitchcock’s “Notorious” completes the collection. In the film, Ingrid Bergman’s character uses romance to spy on a Nazi, whose mother mocks his poor judgment.

A Silicon Valley vulnerability

The columnist applies those fictional and historical examples to Silicon Valley, arguing that romantic manipulation there may require little tradecraft. The writer suggests that wealthy technology figures could be susceptible to attention they lacked when younger.

The column points to the transformation that can accompany success, including billions, personal makeovers, trainers and yachts. It also singles out Jensen Huang’s black leather jacket, but does not explain his role in a specific espionage case.

Warnings about dating

Some Silicon Valley executives have cautioned scientists and engineers about dating women they regard as unusually attractive. One technology leader described such women as “out of their league,” according to the columnist. The column presents this advice as a warning about possible security risks, while offering no specific details about an investigation or confirmed attempt to obtain secrets.