Telegram founder Pavel Durov mocks Nvidia scandal with ‘honeypot’ joke

• Telegram founder Pavel Durov joked that foreign intelligence agencies were overlooking him when recruiting women to approach influential business executives.
• His remarks referenced allegations that Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang had an affair with a woman suspected by US intelligence of working for China.
• Durov's comments prompted mixed reactions, with some users joining the joke and others criticising his references to women from different nationalities.

Telegram founder Pavel Durov mocked Wednesday the espionage controversy surrounding Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, joking that foreign intelligence agencies have failed to send him female spies as potential romantic partners.

In a post on X on Nov. 11, Durov wrote: “Unfair that CEOs who aren’t into Asian girls get fewer dating options from spy agencies.”

He went on to question why intelligence agencies from France, Russia and Iran had not approached him, writing: “Where are the French/Russian/Iranian honeypots? Not one spy girl sent my way. Are they even trying?”

Taking another swipe, he added: “France is excused, their decision-makers aren’t into girls. Everyone else: try harder!”

The remarks were a sarcastic reference to the so-called honeypot tactic, in which intelligence agencies allegedly use romantic or sexual relationships to gain access to influential individuals, obtain confidential information or influence their decisions.

The joke came as the scandal surrounding Huang escalated dramatically. The Nvidia co-founder resigned as CEO on Thursday, Nov. 12, following revelations about two extramarital relationships, one of which raised national security concerns.

According to reports by The New York Times, US intelligence officials suspected that Alice Huang, a former executive at Singapore-based data centre company Megaspeed International, had been recruited by China's Ministry of State Security to establish a relationship with the Nvidia chief and obtain information.

She was also allegedly tasked with influencing Huang's position on US restrictions on advanced chip exports to China. The allegations have not been independently established, and Beijing has rejected them as unfounded.

Nvidia's board had launched an independent investigation into whether Huang was targeted as part of a foreign intelligence operation. The company previously said it had no reason to believe that national security information or corporate secrets had been compromised.

Huang's resignation followed reports of a second relationship with a female Nvidia executive who reported directly to him. Chief Financial Officer Colette Kress has been appointed interim CEO as the company searches for a permanent replacement.

Unfair that CEOs who aren’t into Asian girls get fewer dating options from spy agencies. Where are the French/Russian/Iranian honeypots? Not one spy girl sent my way. Are they even trying? France is excused — their decision-makers aren’t into girls. Everyone else: try harder!

— Pavel Durov (@durov) November 11, 2026