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Referencing the controversy surrounding Nvidia chief Jensen Huang, Durov asked why French, Russian and Iranian intelligence agencies had not sent him a ‘honeypot’
Pavel Durov’s ‘Honeypot’ Joke After Jensen Huang Scandal Sparks Backlash: ‘So This Is Where Humour Comes To Die’
Telegram founder Pavel Durov appears to have found an unusual reason to complain about his dating life: apparently, foreign intelligence agencies aren’t sending enough spies his way. The tech billionaire’s latest post, which takes a swipe at the alleged espionage scandal surrounding Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, has sparked a debate online, with several users calling out its references to Asian women.
Durov took to X on November 11 to joke about how CEOs who are not attracted to Asian women supposedly have fewer opportunities to meet people working for foreign intelligence agencies. His remarks came days after reports about Huang’s alleged relationship with Alice Huang, a Chinese businesswoman whom US intelligence officials reportedly suspect of working for Beijing.
The Telegram CEO wrote: “Unfair that CEOs who aren’t into Asian girls get fewer dating options from spy agencies.”
He followed it up with another post, asking: “Where are the French/Russian/Iranian honeypots? Not one spy girl sent my way. Are they even trying?” Durov then added: “France is excused — their decision-makers aren’t into girls. Everyone else: try harder!”
What is the Jensen Huang controversy?
Durov’s post references the controversy involving Jensen Huang, the 63-year-old co-founder and CEO of Nvidia. Huang recently acknowledged having an extramarital relationship and apologised to his wife, family and colleagues.
The controversy took a more serious turn after The New York Times reported that US intelligence agencies believed Alice Huang, a former executive at Singapore-based data centre company Megaspeed International, had been recruited by Chinese intelligence. According to the report, she allegedly developed a relationship with Huang to obtain information and potentially influence his position on restrictions governing the sale of advanced chips to China.
Nvidia’s board has since launched an independent investigation into whether its CEO was targeted by a foreign intelligence operation. The company has said it has no reason to believe that national security information or company secrets were compromised. China, meanwhile, has rejected the espionage allegations, calling them unsubstantiated.
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
Internet reacts to Durov’s post
Durov’s attempt at humour did not land with everyone. While the post attracted widespread attention, several users questioned the way he had framed women from different countries as potential intelligence operatives and dating prospects.
One user wrote: “Imagine being a jacked, handsome billionaire and still struggling to attract a state-sponsored girlfriend,”
Another was less impressed with the joke, commenting: “So this is where humor comes to die,”
A third user called out the reference to Iranian women, writing: “Pavel, you can make jokes about spy agencies all you want, but don’t talk about Iranian women like that. Iranian women deserve respect, not to be reduced to dating options in your jokes,”
Others brought Durov’s own personal life into the discussion, with some sharing pictures of the Telegram founder with his alleged girlfriend. One user commented: “A billionaire with a 10/10 girlfriend, yet he’s still expecting a honeypot from France, Russia, or Iran… It seems like he’s never satisfied. The sunny world of billionaires is unhinged,”
Another comment took aim at Telegram itself, saying: “Nobody sent you a honeypot because your app is completely unimportant garbage.” Not everyone was critical, though. One response appeared to play along with Durov’s complaint, writing: “fair complaint Pavel, with those budgets you’d expect better matchmaking 🫡”
Quick Answers
Ask News18On November 11, 2026, Pavel Durov posted a joke on X complaining that CEOs who are not attracted to Asian women have fewer dating opportunities with foreign intelligence agents. He also questioned why other spy agencies had not sent any operatives his way.
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A team of writers at News18.com bring you stories on what’s creating the buzz on the Internet while exploring science, cricket, tech, gender, Bollywood, and culture.
November 12, 2026, 1:28 PM IST
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