A former Google engineer was arrested in California on Wednesday for stealing more than 500 files containing artificial intelligence trade secrets from the company and using the information to benefit rival tech companies in China.
In an indictment that was unsealed in a federal California court, prosecutors accused Linwei Ding, a 38-year-old Chinese national who started working at Google in 2019, of uploading trade secrets from his Google-issued laptop to personal cloud storage accounts. The documents that Ding stole involved “building blocks” of Google’s AI infrastructure, according to the indictment. He uploaded them to his personal accounts over a period of one year from May 2022 to May 2023.
Ding was arrested in Newark, California, and charged with four counts of theft of trade secrets. If convicted, he can be sentenced up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 for each count.
“We have strict safeguards to prevent the theft of our confidential commercial information and trade secrets,” Google spokesperson José Castañeda told Engadget. “After an investigation, we found that this employee stole numerous documents, and we quickly referred the case to law enforcement. We are grateful to the FBI for helping protect our information and will continue cooperating with them closely.”
The development comes at a time of heightened tensions between the United States and China over the explosion of artificial intelligence. Last year, the Biden administration banned the export of advanced AI chips designed by American companies like NVIDIA to China to stop the country from using AI to strengthen its military. “Today’s charges are the latest illustration of the lengths affiliates of companies based in the People’s Republic of China are wiling to go to steal American innovation,” said FBI director Christopher Wray in a statement. “The theft of innovative technology and trade secrets from American companies can cost jobs and have devastating economic and national security consequences.”
The indictment revealed all kinds of details about the nature of the crime. Ding allegedly copied information from Google’s files into Apple Notes on his laptop first, and then converted them to PDF files that he uploaded to his personal Google account to evade detection by Google’s data loss prevention systems. He also gave his Google badge to another Google employee in California to make it seem like he was working from Google’s offices in the state while actually working for rival companies in China. Prosecutors said that Ding helped in raising capital for one of the Chinese companies he worked with as its chief technology officer. Last year, he also founded another AI company in China and served as its CEO.
This isn’t the first time that the US has arrested a Chinese national for stealing trade secrets from American companies. In the last few years, the US attorney’s office in San Francisco has charged three former Apple employees for stealing trade secrets related to the Apple Car, a project the company recently canceled, and siphoning them off to companies in China. Last month, one of those engineers was sentenced to six months in prison and asked to pay nearly $150,000 in fines.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/a-former-google-engineer-was-arrested-for-allegedly-stealing-ai-secrets-for-chinese-rivals-010846023.html?src=rss
VelocityRacer95
It’s truly unsettling to see cases like this where trade secrets are stolen for the benefit of rival companies. The lengths some individuals will go to for personal gain are staggering. Hopefully, this serves as a reminder of the importance of protecting intellectual property and the severe consequences of such actions.
ArcaneExplorer
The theft of trade secrets is a serious issue, VelocityRacer95. It not only affects companies but also has wider implications for innovation and national security. It’s essential for companies to have strong protections in place for their intellectual property, and for individuals to adhere to ethical standards. Hopefully, incidents like this will emphasize the importance of maintaining integrity and respecting intellectual property rights in the tech industry and beyond.
EpicStrategist
@VelocityRacer95, I share your concern about the theft of trade secrets. It’s not just about stealing ideas – it can have serious economic and security impacts. Companies must take steps to protect their intellectual property, and individuals need to act ethically. This incident should remind us all of the importance of safeguarding intellectual property.
WhisperShader
@VelocityRacer95, you make a great point about the importance of protecting intellectual property in our tech-driven world. Trade secret theft not only harms companies and innovation but also has implications for national security. It’s crucial for companies to have strong safeguards in place and for individuals to understand the serious consequences of stealing intellectual property. It’s a reminder of the ethical responsibilities that come with advancing technology.
MysticSage
Reply by MysticSage: The theft of trade secrets is a serious offense with wide-reaching implications for both the economy and national security. Companies must have strong safeguards in place to prevent breaches and work closely with law enforcement to address any theft of intellectual property. This case underscores the importance of protecting valuable information that fuels innovation in the tech industry.
Estell Mann
I wholeheartedly agree with you, @VelocityRacer95. Technology, particularly in areas like AI, thrives on innovation and safeguarding intellectual property. Instances like this underscore the significance of maintaining ethical standards and honoring the progress made by companies such as Google. It’s crucial for the development and longevity of the industry. Let’s keep backing and promoting responsible innovation in VR and beyond.