Silicon Valley 'Sex Assault List' of Over 100 Names Circulates to Warn Tech Workers
A private spreadsheet detailing alleged predators in the tech industry includes prominent investors and businessmen, according to sources.
A private spreadsheet containing more than 100 names of alleged sexual predators in Silicon Valley, including prominent investors and businessmen, is circulating among tech workers to serve as a warning. Sources familiar with the document described it as a "whisper network" used by women in the industry to identify and avoid individuals accused of sexual misconduct.
The list reportedly includes allegations of drugging, sex assaults, and rapes, with names linked to major tech and artificial intelligence companies. Verifying the authenticity of these accounts remains a challenge.
Insiders report that many women in Silicon Valley feel unable to approach law enforcement due to fear of retaliation and potential damage to their careers. One source, who asked to remain anonymous and added her own account to the spreadsheet, expressed concern that seeking justice could lead to being blacklisted by investors.
Incidents described by sources have occurred in "hacker houses," shared living and working spaces where professional and social lines can blur. Some predators reportedly exploit vulnerabilities, targeting isolated or new individuals, while others are said to seek out successful individuals as a "trophy."
Yehong Zhu, founder of the app Zette and a former resident of a San Francisco "hacker house" called Genesis, has come forward with her own experience. She filed a police report in December 2021 accusing a former housemate of rape and assault. Zhu stated that the accused fled and has not been located or arrested, despite some acquaintances remaining in contact with him. She recounted that after the alleged assault, a house organizer discouraged her from reporting to the police and instead proposed a mediated conversation.
Michael Burshteyn, a lawyer for Genesis founder Jeremy Nixon, stated that his client was unaware of Zhu's specific situation but would support compliance with the law and prioritizing safety in such matters.
Another account from a "community house" called Muse details an alleged date rape. The author, who spoke to The Post anonymously while seeking legal counsel, claimed she was given ketamine by a man vouched for by the community and subsequently experienced sex while heavily impaired. She alleges that the house leadership minimized the incident and encouraged mediation rather than taking further action. The author stated she was asked to leave the house, while the alleged attacker was permitted to attend a house celebration before her departure.
A former resident of Launch House, a founder community in Southern California, described a different response. After she and other women reported an individual for unwanted advances and potential drugging, the founders of Launch House immediately removed the accused from the premises, changed the locks, and offered assistance with contacting the police. While she felt safe afterward, the individual subsequently targeted her online. Co-founder Brett Goldstein stated that Launch House is no longer operating in its previous form and emphasized the responsibility of organizers to continuously improve safety protocols.
Concerns about sexual pressure and the adequacy of community mediation for sexual assault complaints in these intertwined living environments have been raised previously. In 2022, AI researcher Keerthana Gopalakrishnan wrote about these issues within Effective Altruism circles.
Zhu has shared her story publicly in the hope of empowering other women and preventing similar experiences. She expressed a desire to be recognized for her entrepreneurial achievements rather than solely for her personal experiences with assault.