A Chinese national formerly employed as a software engineer for Google was arrested on Wednesday for allegedly stealing the company’s artificial intelligence technology and selling it to rival companies in China.
According to court documents filed by the Department of Justice (DOJ), Linwei “Leon” Ding, 38, was arrested in Newark, California, and charged with four counts of theft of trade secrets. The DOJ alleges that during his time with Google Ding was also secretly employed by at least two Chinese tech startups looking to expand into the AI industry.
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Beginning in 2019, Ding developed software used in Google’s supercomputing data centers. In May 2022, he began uploading confidential company files onto a personal server. In June of that same year, he was offered a salary of $14,800 and a C-suite position by the CEO of Beijing Rongshu Lianzhi Technology Co.
In 2023, Ding also founded his own tech company in China, Shanghai Zhisuan Technology Co., and named himself CEO. He never informed Google of either of his Chinese affiliations prior to resigning from the company in December 2023.
After his departure, Google technicians searched his network activity history and discovered the unauthorized files he had duplicated. The FBI served a warrant at Ding’s home in January, seizing his electronic devices and discovering more than 500 stolen files.
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“The Justice Department will not tolerate the theft of artificial intelligence and other advanced technologies that could put our national security at risk,” US Attorney General Merrick Garland said. “We will fiercely protect sensitive technologies developed in America from falling into the hands of those who should not have them.”
“Today’s charges are the latest illustration of the lengths affiliates of companies based in the People’s Republic of China are willing to go to steal American innovation,” FBI Director Christopher Wray continued. “The theft of innovative technology and trade secrets from American companies can cost jobs and have devastating economic and national security consequences.”
If convicted, Ding faces up to 10 years in prison and a fine of $250,000 for each of the four counts. During his arraignment, he entered a plea of not guilty and was released on a $150,000 bond.
Connor Walcott is a staff writer for Valuetainment.com. Follow Connor on X and look for him on VT’s “The Unusual Suspects.”
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