Google Employees Steal AI Secrets, Sell to China
Photo: Google headquarters in Manhattan, New York City (REUTERS/Jeenah Moon)
- A former Google employee stole the company's secret technology and sold it to China.
The former software engineer was indicted on charges of stealing AI trade secrets at Google while secretly working with two China-based companies.
Linwei Ding, a Chinese national, was arrested in Newark, California, on four federal counts of theft of trade secrets, each punishable by up to 10 years in prison.
The case of Ding, 38, was announced at the American Bar Association conference in San Francisco by Attorney General Merrick Garland. Along with other legal leaders, they have repeatedly warned about the threat of Chinese economic espionage and national security concerns posed by AI and other emerging technologies.
"Today's indictment is the latest illustration of the extent to which affiliates of companies based in the People's Republic of China are willing to steal American innovations," said FBI Director Christopher Wray, quoted from APNews, Friday (8/3/2024).
"The theft of innovative technologies and trade secrets from American companies could cost jobs and have economic and national security consequences," he added.
Google said it had determined that the former employee had stolen numerous documents and referred the matter to authorities.
After conducting an investigation, Google discovered that this employee stole a lot of documents, and the technology giant immediately handed over the case to law enforcement.
"We have stringent safeguards in place to prevent theft of our confidential commercial information and trade secrets," Google spokesman Jose Castaneda said in a statement.
"We are grateful to the FBI for helping protect our information and will continue to work closely with them," he added.
A lawyer listed as Ding's lawyer did not comment on the case.
The sophistication of AI now seems to be the main battleground for competitors in the technology sector. Not to mention that the question of who dominates AI could have major commercial and security implications.
US Justice Department leaders in recent weeks have raised concerns about how foreign actors could leverage AI technology to negatively impact the United States.
Karyawan Google Curi Rahasia AI, Dijual ke China
Foto: Kantor pusat Google di Manhattan, New York City (REUTERS/Jeenah Moon)
- Seorang mantan karyawan Google mencuri teknologi rahasia perusahaan dan dijual ke China.
Mantan insinyur software itu didakwa atas tuduhan mencuri rahasia dagang AI di Google saat diam-diam bekerja dengan dua perusahaan yang berbasis di China.
Linwei Ding, seorang warga negara China, ditangkap di Newark, California, atas empat tuduhan pencurian rahasia dagang federal, masing-masing dapat dikenai hukuman hingga 10 tahun penjara.
Kasus Ding (38), diumumkan pada konferensi American Bar Association di San Francisco oleh Jaksa Agung Merrick Garland. Bersama dengan para pemimpin hukum lainnya, mereka telah berulang kali memperingatkan tentang ancaman spionase ekonomi China dan masalah keamanan nasional yang ditimbulkan oleh AI dan teknologi berkembang lainnya.
"Dakwaan hari ini adalah ilustrasi terbaru mengenai sejauh mana afiliasi perusahaan yang berbasis di Republik Rakyat Tiongkok bersedia mencuri inovasi Amerika," kata Direktur FBI Christopher Wray, dikutip dari APNews, Jumat (8/3/2024).
"Pencurian teknologi inovatif dan rahasia dagang dari perusahaan-perusahaan Amerika dapat merugikan lapangan kerja dan menimbulkan konsekuensi ekonomi dan keamanan nasional," imbuhnya.
Google mengatakan telah menetapkan bahwa mantan karyawan tersebut telah mencuri banyak dokumen dan menyerahkan masalah tersebut ke pihak berwajib.
Setelah melakukan penyelidikan, pihak Google menemukan bahwa karyawan ini mencuri banyak dokumen, dan raksasa teknologi itu segera menyerahkan kasus ini ke penegak hukum.
"Kami memiliki perlindungan yang ketat untuk mencegah pencurian informasi komersial rahasia dan rahasia dagang kami," kata juru bicara Google Jose Castaneda dalam sebuah pernyataan.
"Kami berterima kasih kepada FBI karena membantu melindungi informasi kami dan akan terus bekerja sama secara erat dengan mereka," imbuhnya.
Seorang pengacara yang terdaftar sebagai pengacara Ding tidak memberikan komentar soal kasus ini.
Kecanggihan AI kini seolah menjadi medan pertempuran utama bagi para pesaing di bidang teknologi. Belum lagi adanya pertanyaan tentang siapa yang mendominasi AI, dapat mempunyai implikasi komersial dan keamanan yang besar.
Para pemimpin Departemen Kehakiman AS dalam beberapa pekan terakhir telah menyuarakan kekhawatiran mengenai bagaimana pihak asing dapat memanfaatkan teknologi AI untuk memberikan dampak negatif terhadap Amerika Serikat.
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