Iran-Linked Engineers Charged with Stealing Tech Secrets

0:00On March 24th, the re-software engineers with alleged ties to Iran face federal charges for stealing trade secrets from major Silicon Valley companies, including Google. The group includes 41-year-old Samine Gandali, her 40-year-old husband, Mohammad Javad Kassarbi, and her 32-year-old sister, Soror, Gandali. Prosecutors say they access confidential data on processor security and cryptography, then send it to unauthorized spots like personal devices and overseas locations. The trio worked at top-tech firms and used their roles to grab sensitive files. They moved hundreds of documents to private channels and even snapped photos of screens to dodge security alerts. Investigators found they kept this up despite red flags, including right before a trip to Iran in December 2023. Federal officials are calling it a serious breach that threatens US innovation and national security. The FBI highlighted how the group hid their moves with fake statements and evidence wipes.

1:02Experts warn this shows real risks from insiders linked to foreign regimes. Details from the case revealed they accessed the stolen materials again while in Iran. The scheme involved linking work devices across jobs to share info quietly. All three have pleaded not guilty and if convicted, they could face up to 10 years per trade secret count or 20 years for obstruction. This case underscores the ongoing push to protect American tech from overseas threats.