Image source, Reuters
Trust, relationship and closeness. It seems like this is the only love. But in the world of intelligence and statecraft, love can also be a weapon. The name of this weapon is Honey Trap.
These days this word is in the news. Because news of Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang's relationship with an alleged Chinese spy Alice Huang has come to light.
There is also discussion about some of his other affairs.
However, no evidence has emerged to prove that this was a case of honey trap or that any confidential information was shared.
China has also rejected these allegations. But this controversy has once again brought honey trap into the limelight.
But the question is why do security agencies around the world consider honey traps as such a serious threat?
What is a honey trap?
According to the Cambridge Dictionary, honey trap means to ensnare a person by wooing or forming a romantic relationship, so that some purpose can be accomplished.
If a person tries to obtain such information through friendship, love or emotional relationship, which is usually out of his reach, then it can be called honey trap.
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In the world of espionage, this can be done for many reasons.
To obtain confidential government information or information related to military systems. To gain access to new technology or research. To gain economic or political advantage.
Or to put pressure on an influential person, or even blackmail him.
That is, the real purpose is not the story of love, affection and love, but the information received through it or to reach a special person.
Honey Trap in History
Image source, Bibliothèque Nationale de France
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It is difficult for Honey Trap to be discussed and Matahari's name not to be mentioned.
Matahari was a famous dancer in Europe during the First World War. He was accused of spying for Germany. In 1917, France gave him the death penalty.
However, historians still do not agree on how strong the evidence was against him. But his name is still taken as a symbol in the discussion of honey trap and espionage.
Even during the Cold War era, such allegations surfaced again and again.
British historian Richard Deacon writes in his book 'Spiclopedia', "During the Cold War, Russia's KGB intelligence agency used female spies codenamed 'Mozno' to get close to foreign officials, establish secret relationships with them and then obtain intelligence documents."
Western countries alleged that the Soviet Union's intelligence agencies used personal relationships to gain access to foreign officials and diplomats.
Later, Britain's intelligence agency MI5 also warned that foreign agencies could weaponize personal relationships to reach influential people.
Matters under discussion in India
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In India too, such cases have been discussed from time to time.
Former chief of RAW's anti-terrorism division B. There is an incident related to this in Raman's book 'The Cow Boys of RAW: Down Memory Lane'.
According to the book, a young Indian diplomat posted in Moscow fell in love with a Russian dancer.
When Russian intelligence agency KGB tried to get some information from the diplomat through the dancer, he flatly refused. After this he came to Delhi and told the whole thing to Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru.
In 2010, Madhuri Gupta, an Indian Foreign Service officer posted in Pakistan, was arrested on charges of sharing sensitive information.
Later a Delhi court sentenced him to three years in jail.
In recent years, the case of DRDO scientist Dr. Pradeep Kurulkar was also much discussed.
This case brought the debate on national security and threats like honey traps into the mainstream.
Why is there a big danger even in the high-tech era?
Now the question is that when the world has entered the era of AI and cyber security, why is an old weapon of intelligence like honey trap considered a big threat?
The reason for this is simple. The biggest strength of any organization is its information.
And many times the easiest way to access that information is not computers, but humans.
Today, a mobile phone, laptop or email account can contain a lot of sensitive information.
This is why security agencies keep an eye not only on cyber attacks but also on possible intrusions through human relationships.
Jenson Huang controversy
This is where the case of Jensen Huang, former CEO of technology company Nvidia, comes into discussion.
According to media reports, he is being investigated for his relations with alleged Chinese spy Alice Huang.
Jensen Huang has admitted to being unfaithful to his wife and has apologized to his family.
At the same time, Nvidia has started an independent investigation and says that there is no threat to national security.
US President Donald Trump has said that the FBI is also investigating this matter.
However, it would be premature to reach any conclusion before the investigation is completed. But one thing is clear.
From the era of Matahari to the era of social media and AI, stories of honey traps have been coming to the fore again and again.
Because no matter how much technology changes in the world of espionage, the most effective way to access information is often human trust.
And perhaps this is the reason why honey trap still remains a matter of concern for security agencies around the world.
Published by Collective Newsroom for the BBC.
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