A former Google engineer is facing charges for allegedly stealing sensitive artificial intelligence (AI) trade secrets with the intention of sharing them with China. The engineer, who began working for Google in 2019, was identified as Leon Ding and was arrested near his California home.
An indictment unsealed in California revealed that Ding illicitly obtained hundreds of files from Google, transferring them to his personal account. During this time, he was in communication with technology companies linked to the Chinese Communist government.
Authorities claim that Ding shared Google's AI trade secrets while being associated with AI-related firms connected to the People's Republic of China. Additionally, he reportedly traveled to China without informing Google of his visits.
The Justice Department's announcement of the indictment was followed by remarks from Attorney General Merrick Garland, who highlighted the significance of the arrest at the American Bar Association annual meeting. FBI Director Christopher Wray also emphasized the broader threat posed by China, citing concerns about intellectual property theft and cyber intrusions.
Wray underscored the ongoing focus on countering the activities of the Chinese government, emphasizing the need to address various forms of threats, including cyber espionage and transnational repression. He warned that China represents a significant challenge to the United States, particularly in terms of safeguarding intellectual property.
While Google has not issued a response to the incident, Wray's comments reflect a growing awareness within the U.S. government about the risks associated with Chinese entities seeking to acquire sensitive technology and trade secrets.
