Linwei Ding a four-year Google worker made a quick exit to Beijing right after xmas-2024; this raised red flags at the companys security team who were already looking into his strange behavior.
Earlier that month Ding told lies about staying at work while he was actually in China (where he acted as CEO of Zhisuan company looking for money). The FBI found more than 500 AI-related files that he took from Google‚ which led to his arrest on jan-6 right before his planned flight
We will fiercely protect sensitive technologies developed in America from falling into the hands of those who should not have them
The problem is bigger than just one person: many big tech firms lost secrets to China in recent years - Tesla Apple and IBM all had similar issues. Last fall the Five Eyes intel chiefs met at Stanford to warn tech companies about growing risks; their message was clear - modern tech cant avoid global politics
The stolen stuff is extra important now because US rules dont let China buy new AI chips and systems. People linked to Chinas army even used Metas tech for military stuff just last week which wasnt allowed. Ken McCallum from MI5 says tech companies need to wake up: theyre now key targets
Some spies work through local Chinese groups in San Francisco (where you can often see anti-Communist protests). The FBI watches tech events closely but its hard to catch everyone - like that ex-IBM worker who stole code for Beijing about 6 years ago. Now companies check workers more carefully but the problem keeps growing