Silicon Valley Engineers Charged With Theft of Google, Tech Trade Secrets
Decrypt
by Vince DioquinoFebruary 20, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
Three former Google engineers have been indicted on charges of conspiracy to steal trade secrets and obstruct justice. The defendants—Samaneh Ghandali, Soroor Ghandali, and Mohammadjavad Khosravi—are accused of accessing sensitive mobile processor and cryptography files while employed at Google and other unnamed companies. Prosecutors allege that the trio transferred hundreds of confidential files, including trade secrets, to unauthorized locations, with some material reaching Iran. The indictment also claims they sought to conceal their actions by deleting files, falsifying affidavits, and attempting to destroy evidence.
The stolen trade secrets included processor security designs and cryptographic information, which were later accessed on personal devices and at other workplaces. According to the DOJ, Google detected suspicious activity in August 2023, revoking Samaneh Ghandali’s access. However, she allegedly signed a false affidavit denying any unauthorized sharing of confidential data. The indictment further details an incident where Ghandali photographed trade secret information on another company’s computer before traveling to Iran, and Khosravi accessed additional sensitive material while in the country.
This case highlights the risks posed by insider threats to national security and advanced technology. Experts warn that trusted employees with legitimate access can exploit vulnerabilities even when security measures are in place. The stolen IP could impact
Verticals
cryptoweb3
Originally published on Decrypt on 2/20/2026