A federal grand jury recently charged three Silicon Valley engineers with stealing trade secrets from Google and other tech companies. The indictment claims they transferred sensitive information to Iran.
The defendants are Samaneh Ghandali, 41, her sister Soroor Ghandali, 32, and Mohammadjavad Khosravi, 40, all from San Jose. Samaneh is a U.S. citizen, while Soroor held a student visa. Khosravi is a permanent resident and a former member of the Iranian military.
These individuals worked for top tech firms involved in mobile processor development, including Google. Authorities say they accessed confidential files covering processor security and cryptography.
Google noticed suspicious activity through routine security checks and immediately informed law enforcement. A Google spokesperson, José Castañeda, indicated the company has tightened security, implementing measures like two-factor authentication and controlling access to sensitive data.
The defendants allegedly took steps to hide their actions. They transferred stolen files to a third-party platform, then copied them to personal and work devices. According to FBI Special Agent Sanjay Virmani, they actively sought to avoid detection.
In August 2023, after Google revoked Samaneh’s access due to flagged activities, she submitted a false affidavit claiming she had not shared confidential information. Investigators note that she and Khosravi attempted to erase their digital footprints, even photographing sensitive material on computer screens.
Here’s a striking fact: trade secrets in the tech world are crucial as they can represent billions in economic value. For instance, Qualcomm’s Snapdragon processors, widely used in smartphones, stem from such proprietary information.
If found guilty, the trio could face significant penalties, including up to 10 years in prison for each charge and hefty fines. The case highlights the ongoing challenges companies face in protecting sensitive data, especially within a rapidly evolving tech landscape.
In 2020, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that nearly 1 in 5 tech workers have faced confidentiality breaches in their careers. As technology advances, so do the methods used to exploit it, showing that cybersecurity remains a top priority for companies everywhere.
For more information on cybersecurity practices, you can refer to the U.S. Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency.
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