- Former Google software engineer, Linwei Ding, was indicted in California for stealing over 500 confidential files related to AI.
- If convicted, Ding could face up to 10 years in prison and $250,000 in fines.
- Google suspended Ding’s access after learning about his actions and alerted authorities
The US has charged a former Google software engineer with stealing trade secrets about artificial intelligence (AI) while clandestinely working for two Chinese companies. Authorities indicted Linwei Ding, also known as Leon Ding, on four charges in California and arrested him on Wednesday. Authorities accuse the Chinese national of stealing more than 500 confidential files.
If convicted, he could face up to 10 years in prison and $250,000 in fines on each count. Local media reported that they could not identify a lawyer for Mr. Ding to comment on the case. The information he is accused of taking relates to the infrastructure of Google’s supercomputing data centers, which are used to host and train large AI models.
According to the indictment, Google hired Mr. Ding in 2019, and his responsibilities included developing this software. Allegedly, he began uploading information stored in Google’s network to a personal Google account in May 2022. These uploads continued periodically for a year, as stated in the indictment.
Meanwhile, authorities allege that he spent several months in China working for Beijing Rongshu Lianzhi Technology, a start-up tech company that approached him. According to the indictment, the company offered him $14,800 (£11,620) per month to be its Chief Technology Officer.
Additionally, authorities allege that he started his tech firm, Shanghai Zhisuan Technology, which focused on AI and machine learning and appointed himself as the CEO. Prosecutors allege that Mr. Ding never informed Google about his work for either company. The indictment states that he applied to a China-based organization to assist in developing this business and presented it at an investor conference in China in November 2023.
The following month, Google flagged Mr. Ding attempting to upload more files to his personal computer while in China, but Mr. Ding told Google’s investigator it was to provide proof that he worked for the tech giant. Upon his return to the US and without Google’s knowledge, authorities claim Mr. Ding booked a one-way ticket from San Francisco to Beijing before resigning on 26 December.
Days later, Google once again grew suspicious after learning about his actions at the conference and suspended his access, searching his activity history to reveal the unauthorized uploads. Google spokesman José Castañeda stated that the company has “strict safeguards to prevent the theft of our confidential commercial information and trade secrets,” adding that the company quickly alerted the authorities when it found evidence of alleged wrongdoing.
In a statement on Wednesday, US Attorney General Merrick Garland asserted that Linwei Ding was seeking to enrich himself by covertly working for companies that were “seeking an edge in the AI technology race.”
“The Justice Department will not tolerate the theft of artificial intelligence and other advanced technologies that could put our national security at risk,” Mr Garland said.
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