A former Google software engineer has been found guilty of stealing proprietary information related to artificial intelligence hardware from the tech giant for the benefit of two China-based companies, one of which he founded. Linwei (“Leon”) Ding, 38, has been convicted on multiple counts of economic espionage and trade secret theft for his role in exfiltrating confidential data concerning Google’s Tensor Processing Units (TPUs), Graphics Processing Units (GPUs), and SmartNIC network interface cards.
In a statement following the verdict, Google’s Vice President of Regulatory Affairs, Lee-Anne Mulholland, expressed gratitude to the jury for affirming the seriousness of trade secret theft. The conviction was seen as a strong message regarding the consequences of such illegal activities.
Ding’s employment at Google began in May 2019, where he was tasked with enhancing the efficiency of software for machine learning applications. His role granted him access to sensitive information deemed confidential by the company. Despite Google’s robust security measures, which include physical security, network monitoring, and data loss prevention protocols, Ding managed to circumvent these protections.
Investigators later reconstructed his actions, revealing that on May 21, 2022, he began uploading over 1,000 files containing trade secrets to his personal Google Cloud account. Ding employed a method of copying data into the Apple Notes application on his Google-issued laptop, converting these notes into PDF files, and then uploading them from within Google’s network, effectively evading immediate detection.
In June 2022, Ding received a job offer for the position of Chief Technology Officer at Beijing Rongshu Lianzhi Technology Co., Ltd., a machine learning startup, while simultaneously participating in fundraising activities during a trip to China that began in October 2022 and lasted until March 2023. By May 2023, he had founded Shanghai Zhisuan Technology Co. Ltd., aimed at developing a Cluster Management System for accelerating machine learning workloads. During this period, documentation circulated by Ding noted a desire to replicate Google’s powerful computational platform tailored for use in China.
Google became aware of Ding’s actions when further files were uploaded to a second personal Google Drive account while he was still in China. Following his resignation from Google in late December 2023, the company discovered his presentation at the MiraclePlus conference as the CEO of Zhisuan. Upon investigation, Google uncovered evidence suggesting that another employee had misused Ding’s access badge to make it appear as though he was in the U.S. during his travels.
Security personnel confiscated Ding’s devices before FBI investigators executed a search warrant shortly after. A grand jury indictment followed soon thereafter, though it remains unclear whether the stolen trade secrets have been retained by individuals or entities affiliated with the Chinese government.
Ding’s defense argued for the dismissal of the case, claiming the government had not established that he intended to benefit the PRC or that any foreign governmental entity was involved. The presiding judge, while skeptical of some of the government’s theories, deemed the evidence sufficient for trial.
Evidence presented during the trial indicated that Ding intended to support two entities controlled by the Chinese government in developing an AI supercomputer and collaborating on custom machine learning chips. Ultimately, the jury convicted Ding on all counts, with potential penalties looming at up to 10 years for each trade secret theft and 15 years for each economic espionage charge, within the framework of U.S. sentencing guidelines.
