A national publication detailed an unclassified email recently sent by the CIA’s counterintelligence chief to agency annuitants.

The crux of the note was that the “formers,” as many of us CIA retirees are affectionately called, must take greater care in speaking out in public — particularly via modern mediums such as podcasts and other social media. The note also observed that some formers are taking consulting jobs overseas, warning that the CIA’s tradecraft, or spying techniques, could end up in the hands of foreign adversaries. While likely well-meaning, the email caused some consternation with many formers. It seemed to have an accusatory tone, impugn First Amendment rights, and hamper employment prospects in a global market.