Chinese software engineer arrested for allegedly stealing Google AI technology
A former Google employee has been charged with four counts of stealing trade secrets related to the search engine giant’s artificial intelligence while working undercover for a pair of Chinese companies.
US authorities have arrested a former Google software engineer and charged him with four counts of “theft of trade secrets.”
The Department of Justice (DOJ) alleges that Linwei Ding, 38, also known as Leon Ding, stole information related to the development of artificial intelligence (AI) technology, as well as other data.
Ding is a Chinese national who, until his arrest, lived in Newark, California. At the same time he worked for Google, Ding secretly worked for two technology companies based in China.
Ding allegedly transferred the stolen data, which the Justice Department describes as “the building blocks of Google’s advanced supercomputing data centers,” to a personal storage account, uploading 500 files between May 2022 and May 2023. The Ding’s position at Google gave him access to information about the supercomputing hardware the company uses to run its artificial intelligence platforms.
During this time, the Chinese national traveled to Beijing and was confirmed as chief technology officer of a newly created technology company. Ding also emerged as CEO of his own China-based company in the machine learning sector. According to the indictment against Ding, a document related to the new company said: “We have experience with Google’s ten thousand card computing power platform; “We just need to replicate and upgrade it, and then continue to develop a computing power platform suitable for China’s national conditions.”
Ding concealed his activity in China by convincing a Google colleague to use his security card to access the Google office.
“As we work to responsibly harness the benefits of AI, the Department of Justice is on high alert for its risks, including global threats to our national security,” Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco said in a statement.
“As alleged in today’s charges, the defendant stole more than 500 confidential files containing AI trade secrets from Google, while covertly working for China-based companies seeking an advantage in the AI technology race. . “The Department of Justice will relentlessly pursue and hold accountable those who divert disruptive technologies – especially AI – for illegal exports.”
FBI Chief Christopher Wray has said the case exemplifies the lengths to which Chinese companies are willing to go to acquire cutting-edge technology.
“Today’s charges are the latest example of the lengths affiliates of companies based in the People’s Republic of China are willing to go to steal American innovation,” Wray said.
“The theft of innovative technology and trade secrets from American companies can cost jobs and have devastating economic and national security consequences. “The FBI will continue its efforts to aggressively pursue those responsible for stealing the intellectual property and best-kept secrets of American companies.”
Ding was arrested overnight and could face a maximum of 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 for each charge against him.
