Inside Silicon Valley’s Shadow: Engineers Charged in Google Trade-Secrets Case
In a case that reads like a high-stakes thriller set amidst the corridors of America’s tech elite, three Silicon Valley engineers have been indicted on charges of stealing trade secrets from Google and other major tech firms — and allegedly transmitting sensitive materials to Iran. The unfolding legal drama has ramifications not just for corporate cybersecurity, but for global technology competition and national security. (Fox Business)
From Silicon Valley to the Federal Dock
Federal prosecutors in the U.S. have charged Samaneh Ghandali (41), her sister Soroor Ghandali (32), and Samaneh’s husband Mohammadjavad Khosravi (40) with conspiring to steal proprietary information while employed at Google and other tech companies based in California. All three, residents of San Jose and originally from Iran, were arrested and appeared in federal court in San Jose this week. (Fox Business)
According to the indictment, the trio allegedly exploited their access to confidential company systems — including critical processor security and cryptography data — and transferred hundreds of files to unauthorized locations, including personal devices and shared platforms outside corporate networks. Some of the data is said to have ended up in Iran, though prosecutors have not publicly detailed exactly where or how it was used. (San Francisco Chronicle)
Prosecutors also allege that after Google’s internal security systems flagged suspicious behavior, the defendants attempted to cover their tracks through a series of obstruction tactics — including submitting false affidavits to employers, deleting electronic records, and photographing sensitive screens to circumvent digital monitoring. (Decrypt)
Alleged Scheme and Legal Stakes
The indictment filed by the Department of Justice charges all three with conspiracy to commit trade secret theft, actual theft and attempted theft of trade secrets, and obstruction of justice. Each count carries potentially severe penalties, with trade secret theft punishable by up to 10 years in prison per count, and obstruction charges adding up to 20 years per count, alongside substantial fines. (Invezz)
The alleged theft focused on confidential information that could give competitors or foreign entities insights into advanced microprocessor designs and secure cryptography — technologies at the core of modern smartphones and computing infrastructure. Some reports suggest that files may have included details on Qualcomm’s Snapdragon architecture and other proprietary chip technologies. (Invezz)
Security and National Implications
Although insider misconduct is not a new problem, this case underscores the intensifying challenges technology companies face in protecting intellectual property (IP) and national economic interests. Experts warn that even robust security systems can be circumvented when individuals with legitimate access decide to exfiltrate data over time. This has broader implications for global competition, especially among nations investing heavily in semiconductor and AI development. (Decrypt)
In recent years, the U.S. government has increasingly treated trade secret theft — particularly when linked to foreign entities — as a matter of national security. This comes against a backdrop of other high-profile cases involving alleged theft of trade secrets for strategic technology sectors, including AI and advanced computing. (Fox Business)
Glossary
Trade Secrets – Proprietary business information that companies protect because it gives them a competitive edge (e.g., designs, formulas, algorithms). Cryptography – Techniques for securing communication and data, typically through advanced mathematics and encryption. Obstruction of Justice – Criminal actions that intentionally interfere with law enforcement investigations or legal processes. Processor Architecture – The design and structure of microprocessor systems, which determine how computing devices process data. Exfiltration – The unauthorized removal of data from a secure system.
Source: https://www.techinasia.com/news/3-silicon-valley-engineers-charged-in-google-trade-secrets-theft
