[paxys]

> imagine what a state-level actor can do

More like, imagine what a state-level actor has done already. Heck they don't even need to carry out hacks of this nature. It would be trivial for a government to embed an agent at any tech company at a way higher level than customer support. Do people really think a top CS graduate recruited to a coveted intelligence role can't pass a FAANG interview?

[Maursault]

> Do people really think a top CS graduate recruited to a coveted intelligence role can't pass a FAANG interview?

There are no top CS grads working for any government, other than perhaps academy graduates, and then only temporarily. For a top CS grad, private sector salaries are 5-20x what government will pay, and if they are top CS grads, they'll be smart enough to do the math.

[Consultant32452]

The H1-B program was practically designed to give foreign agents an easy way into our infrastructure.

Think of our top political enemies and consider which direction the Visas go.

[mrgill]

Is India an enemy?

[rbanffy]

I don't think India would weaponize H1-B, but it wouldn't be beyond Russia or China. BTW, having sleeper agents deeply implanted in other countries is an insurance policy.

[Consultant32452]

China and Russia were the two countries I was primarily thinking of when I wrote that post. It's worth pointing out that in the international spy game your friends also spy on you. I feel confident India has agents in the US.

[rbanffy]

They would be stupid if they didn’t. The US has a tendency to meddle in internal politics of other countries and having sleeper assets in sufficient numbers is a deterrent.

Unfortunately, for these countries, H1Bs are very easy to locate.