Federal prosecutors have arrested three Silicon Valley engineers accused of stealing sensitive chip security trade secrets from Google and other tech firms. The defendants face charges of trade secret theft and obstruction, with potential sentences of up to 10 years for theft and 20 years for obstruction.
Prosecutors allege the stolen material, including trade secrets related to processor security and cryptography, was routed to unauthorized locations, including access from Iran. The indictment names Samaneh Ghandali, Soroor Ghandali, and Mohammadjavad Khosravi.
Investigators claim the trio concealed their actions by deleting files, destroying electronic records, and submitting false affidavits. One instance described involves photographing sensitive information the night before traveling to Iran, with a device associated with one defendant allegedly accessing those images while in Iran.
Google's internal security detected suspicious activity and revoked access in August 2023. The case highlights national security implications of insider access to advanced semiconductor and cryptographic systems, with observers noting the risk posed by "trusted insiders" rather than external hackers. The potential exfiltration of such intellectual property to geopolitical rivals like Iran is a significant concern.