Silicon Valley Engineers Charged with Theft of Google Trade Secrets
Grow with Google founder Lisa Gevelber discusses Google’s new program to teach small businesses about AI usage and highlights examples of its application on ‘Varney & Co.’
In a significant legal development, three engineers from Silicon Valley have been arrested and charged with stealing trade secrets from Google and other U.S. technology firms. Federal prosecutors announced that these individuals were involved in transferring sensitive data to unauthorized locations, including Iran.
The accused, identified as Samaneh Ghandali (41), Soroor Ghandali (32), and Mohammadjavad Khosravi (40), all hailing from San Jose, were taken into custody on Thursday, as reported by the Department of Justice (DOJ).
A federal grand jury has indicted the engineers on multiple charges, including conspiracy to commit trade secret theft, theft and attempted theft of trade secrets, and obstruction of justice.
In a statement to FOX Business, Google spokesperson José Castañeda emphasized, “We have enhanced safeguards to protect our confidential information and immediately alerted law enforcement after discovering this incident. Today’s indictments are an important step towards accountability, and we’ll continue working to ensure our trade secrets remain secure.”
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Three Silicon Valley engineers were charged with stealing Google trade secrets and transferring sensitive data to unauthorized locations, including Iran, federal prosecutors said. (Josh Edelson/AFP via Getty Images / Getty Images)
The indictment reveals that the defendants gained employment at technology companies focused on mobile computer processors. Samaneh and Soroor Ghandali previously worked at Google before transitioning to another tech company referred to as “Company 3,” located in Santa Clara, California. Khosravi, who is married to Samaneh, was employed at a different company identified as “Company 2,” based in San Diego.
Prosecutors allege that the trio exploited their positions to access confidential information, executing a scheme to steal trade secrets. They allegedly “exfiltrated confidential and sensitive documents, including trade secrets related to processor security and cryptography, from Google and other technology companies to unauthorized third-party and personal locations, including work devices associated with each other’s employers and to Iran.”
United States Attorney Craig H. Missakian stated, “As alleged, the defendants exploited their positions to steal confidential trade secrets from their employers. Our office will continue to lead the way in protecting American innovation and we will vigorously prosecute individuals who steal sensitive advanced technologies for improper gain or to benefit countries that wish us ill.”
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Federal prosecutors allege former Google employees conspired to steal confidential company information and send it overseas. (Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images / Getty Images)
The indictment further alleges that while employed at Google, Samaneh Ghandali transferred hundreds of files, including company trade secrets, to a third-party communications platform. Soroor Ghandali is also accused of similar actions during her tenure at the company.
To conceal their actions, the defendants allegedly submitted false affidavits to victim technology companies regarding the stolen trade secrets, destroyed exfiltrated files, and concealed their methods of exfiltration to avoid detection.
According to a Google spokesperson, the company discovered the alleged theft through routine security monitoring and promptly referred the case to law enforcement after conducting an internal investigation.
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A federal grand jury indicted three engineers in an alleged scheme involving Google trade secrets, the Department of Justice said. (Rolf Vennenbernd/ via Getty Images / Getty Images)
Google has reiterated its commitment to maintaining robust security measures to protect its confidential information and intellectual property. This includes limiting employee access to sensitive data, requiring device authentication before network access, and mandating two-factor authentication for work accounts.
Moreover, Google logs employee activity on its network, including file transfers to third-party platforms like Telegram. The company began blocking uploads to Telegram from corporate laptops last year.
The indictment highlights that Google has taken “numerous measures to safeguard its confidential technology, information, and trade secrets.”
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Prosecutors noted that Google has secured its physical space and restricted access to its buildings, computer systems, and network.
According to the indictment, Samaneh Ghandali is an Iranian national who became a U.S. citizen around 2018, while Mohammadjavad Khosravi is an Iranian national who became a U.S. legal permanent resident around 2019. Soroor Ghandali was in the United States on a nonimmigrant student visa.
Grow with Google founder Lisa Gevelber discusses Google’s new program to teach small businesses about AI usage and highlights examples of its application on ‘Varney & Co.’
In a significant legal development, three engineers from Silicon Valley have been arrested and charged with stealing trade secrets from Google and other U.S. technology firms. Federal prosecutors announced that these individuals were involved in transferring sensitive data to unauthorized locations, including Iran.
The accused, identified as Samaneh Ghandali (41), Soroor Ghandali (32), and Mohammadjavad Khosravi (40), all hailing from San Jose, were taken into custody on Thursday, as reported by the Department of Justice (DOJ).
A federal grand jury has indicted the engineers on multiple charges, including conspiracy to commit trade secret theft, theft and attempted theft of trade secrets, and obstruction of justice.
In a statement to FOX Business, Google spokesperson José Castañeda emphasized, “We have enhanced safeguards to protect our confidential information and immediately alerted law enforcement after discovering this incident. Today’s indictments are an important step towards accountability, and we’ll continue working to ensure our trade secrets remain secure.”
META CEO TO TESTIFY IN HIGH-STAKES TRIAL THAT COULD COST BIG TECH BILLIONS
Three Silicon Valley engineers were charged with stealing Google trade secrets and transferring sensitive data to unauthorized locations, including Iran, federal prosecutors said. (Josh Edelson/AFP via Getty Images / Getty Images)
The indictment reveals that the defendants gained employment at technology companies focused on mobile computer processors. Samaneh and Soroor Ghandali previously worked at Google before transitioning to another tech company referred to as “Company 3,” located in Santa Clara, California. Khosravi, who is married to Samaneh, was employed at a different company identified as “Company 2,” based in San Diego.
Prosecutors allege that the trio exploited their positions to access confidential information, executing a scheme to steal trade secrets. They allegedly “exfiltrated confidential and sensitive documents, including trade secrets related to processor security and cryptography, from Google and other technology companies to unauthorized third-party and personal locations, including work devices associated with each other’s employers and to Iran.”
United States Attorney Craig H. Missakian stated, “As alleged, the defendants exploited their positions to steal confidential trade secrets from their employers. Our office will continue to lead the way in protecting American innovation and we will vigorously prosecute individuals who steal sensitive advanced technologies for improper gain or to benefit countries that wish us ill.”
GOOGLE PLANS TO SPEND BIG AS AI RACE WITH RIVALS INTENSIFIES
Federal prosecutors allege former Google employees conspired to steal confidential company information and send it overseas. (Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images / Getty Images)
The indictment further alleges that while employed at Google, Samaneh Ghandali transferred hundreds of files, including company trade secrets, to a third-party communications platform. Soroor Ghandali is also accused of similar actions during her tenure at the company.
To conceal their actions, the defendants allegedly submitted false affidavits to victim technology companies regarding the stolen trade secrets, destroyed exfiltrated files, and concealed their methods of exfiltration to avoid detection.
According to a Google spokesperson, the company discovered the alleged theft through routine security monitoring and promptly referred the case to law enforcement after conducting an internal investigation.
TECH TITANS ELON MUSK AND REID HOFFMAN ATTACK EACH OTHER OVER LATEST EPSTEIN EMAILS
A federal grand jury indicted three engineers in an alleged scheme involving Google trade secrets, the Department of Justice said. (Rolf Vennenbernd/ via Getty Images / Getty Images)
Google has reiterated its commitment to maintaining robust security measures to protect its confidential information and intellectual property. This includes limiting employee access to sensitive data, requiring device authentication before network access, and mandating two-factor authentication for work accounts.
Moreover, Google logs employee activity on its network, including file transfers to third-party platforms like Telegram. The company began blocking uploads to Telegram from corporate laptops last year.
The indictment highlights that Google has taken “numerous measures to safeguard its confidential technology, information, and trade secrets.”
CLICK HERE TO GET FOX BUSINESS ON THE GO
Prosecutors noted that Google has secured its physical space and restricted access to its buildings, computer systems, and network.
According to the indictment, Samaneh Ghandali is an Iranian national who became a U.S. citizen around 2018, while Mohammadjavad Khosravi is an Iranian national who became a U.S. legal permanent resident around 2019. Soroor Ghandali was in the United States on a nonimmigrant student visa.
