A high-profile indictment has rocked the tech world, as three individuals, including two former Google engineers, face serious charges in the U.S. for allegedly pilfering sensitive trade secrets. The accusations point to a sophisticated scheme involving the transfer of proprietary information from Google and other leading technology firms to unauthorized locations, notably including Iran.
The Accused and the Allegations
At the heart of the federal indictment are Samaneh Ghandali, 41, her husband Mohammadjavad Khosravi (also known as Mohammad Khosravi), 40, and Samaneh’s sister, Soroor Ghandali, 32. All three, Iranian nationals residing in San Jose, were arrested recently and have made their initial court appearances. They stand accused of conspiracy to commit trade secret theft, actual and attempted theft of trade secrets, and obstruction of justice.
According to the U.S. Department of Justice (DoJ), the Ghandali sisters previously worked at Google before moving to another tech entity, identified as “Company 3.” Khosravi was reportedly employed at a separate firm, “Company 2.” All three held positions related to mobile computer processors, placing them in a prime position to access valuable intellectual property.
From Google to Iran: The Alleged Data Flow
The DoJ’s press release details a calculated operation: “As part of the alleged scheme to commit trade secret theft, the defendants used their employment to obtain access to confidential and sensitive information.” This access, it is claimed, led to the exfiltration of critical documents, including trade secrets concerning processor security, cryptography, and other advanced technologies. These files were allegedly siphoned from Google and other companies to personal devices, work devices associated with each other’s employers, and ultimately, to Iran.
A Google spokesperson, in a statement to Bloomberg, confirmed the company’s proactive stance. Upon discovering the incident, Google immediately enhanced its internal safeguards and alerted law enforcement, underscoring the gravity with which such breaches are treated. The stolen secrets reportedly involved Google’s proprietary Tensor processor, a key component in its Pixel phones.
Specifically, Samaneh Ghandali is accused of transferring hundreds of files, including Google trade secrets, to a third-party communications platform. These transfers were allegedly directed to channels bearing the first names of each defendant. Soroor Ghandali is also implicated in exfiltrating numerous Google-related files containing trade secrets to the same channels during her tenure at the company.
The alleged trail of stolen data further indicates that these trade secret files were subsequently copied to various personal devices, as well as a work device belonging to Khosravi and a Company 3-issued device for Soroor Ghandali.
The Elaborate Concealment Efforts
The indictment also outlines alleged attempts by the defendants to cover their tracks. These efforts included submitting false, signed affidavits, destroying exfiltrated files from electronic devices, and even resorting to manually photographing computer screens containing sensitive documents rather than directly transferring them via messaging apps.
One notable instance occurred in August 2023. After Google’s internal security systems flagged Samaneh Ghandali’s activity and revoked her access, she allegedly signed an affidavit falsely claiming she had not shared Google’s confidential information externally. Furthermore, Samaneh Ghandali and Khosravi reportedly conducted online searches related to deleting communications and data, including queries about how long cellular service providers retain messages for court purposes.
Despite these efforts, the couple is accused of continuing to access Google trade secrets on their personal devices, manually photographing hundreds of screens containing sensitive information from both Google and Company 2 over several months. In a particularly brazen act, Samaneh Ghandali allegedly photographed Khosravi’s work computer screen, displaying Company 2 trade secrets, with her mobile phone just before their December 2023 trip to Iran. These photographs were later accessed from a personal device linked to Samaneh Ghandali while she was in Iran.
Potential Consequences and Broader Implications
If convicted, the defendants face severe penalties. Each count of trade secret theft carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The obstruction of justice charge alone could lead to 20 years in prison and an additional $250,000 fine.
This case follows closely on the heels of another significant conviction: less than a month prior, former Google engineer Linwei Ding was found guilty in the U.S. for stealing thousands of confidential company documents to establish a startup in China. These incidents highlight a growing concern within the tech industry regarding intellectual property theft and national security implications.
The ongoing investigations and prosecutions underscore the U.S. government’s commitment to protecting American innovation and holding individuals accountable for illicit transfers of sensitive technological information.
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