An attack on a technology entity is perceived as an attack on all of us and what we believe in. Technologists believe in the machine, or the formula or the data and when they perceive an attack on this model based on greed it doesn't matter how smart the 'attacker' is. It has nothing to do with smart people or which side they're on, it has to do with the nature of true technologists.

Each case has it's own details that distinguishes it, but I think this sense of 'our thinking is superior' is what drives the reactions of tech (all) people. That stance still allows for smart people on the other side, they're just wrong or motivated by some external factor (greed).