Ex-Google Engineer Convicted of Stealing AI Trade Secrets for China

Linwei Ding, also known as Leon Ding, was found guilty of economic espionage and theft of trade secrets.

Jan. 31, 2026 at 2:07pm

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A federal jury has convicted a 39-year-old Chinese national and former Google software engineer of stealing trade secrets related to AI technology from his former employer on behalf of the People's Republic of China, Department of Justice officials said. Ding was found guilty of seven counts of economic espionage and seven counts of theft of trade secrets.

Why it matters

This case highlights the ongoing threat of economic espionage and the theft of valuable intellectual property by foreign actors, especially in the field of advanced technologies like artificial intelligence. It underscores the need for robust cybersecurity measures and vigilance by tech companies to protect their trade secrets.

The details

Prosecutors alleged that Ding, while working at Google in 2019, began secretly uploading trade secrets from the company's network into a personal Google Cloud account, amassing hundreds of files over the next year. He then downloaded the files onto his personal computer shortly before resigning from Google in December 2023. At the same time, Ding began working with a Chinese startup in 2022 and launched his own tech company focused on AI and machine learning the next year. When he was indicted, prosecutors accused him of receiving $14,800 per month from the Chinese company.

  • Ding began working at Google in 2019.
  • In 2022, Ding began secretly uploading trade secrets from Google's network into a personal Google Cloud account.
  • Ding resigned from Google in December 2023.
  • Ding began working with a Chinese startup in 2022 and launched his own tech company in 2023.
  • Ding was indicted in 2024.

The players

Linwei Ding

Also known as Leon Ding, a 39-year-old Chinese national and former Google software engineer who was convicted of stealing trade secrets related to AI technology from Google.

Merrick Garland

The former U.S. Attorney General who stated in 2024 that the Justice Department will not tolerate the theft of artificial intelligence and other advanced technologies that could put national security at risk.

Craig H. Missakian

The U.S. Attorney who said the jury's conviction sent a clear message that the theft of valuable technology will not go unpunished.

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What they’re saying

“The Justice Department will not tolerate the theft of artificial intelligence and other advanced technologies that could put our national security at risk.”

— Merrick Garland, Former U.S. Attorney General (DOJ news release)

“The jury's conviction sent a clear message today that the theft of this valuable technology will not go unpunished.”

— Craig H. Missakian, U.S. Attorney (DOJ news release)

What’s next

Ding is scheduled to be sentenced in the coming months, where he could face up to 15 years in prison for the economic espionage convictions and up to 10 years for the theft of trade secrets convictions.

The takeaway

This case underscores the ongoing threat of economic espionage and the importance of tech companies maintaining robust cybersecurity measures to protect their valuable intellectual property, especially in cutting-edge fields like artificial intelligence. It also highlights the U.S. government's commitment to aggressively prosecuting those who attempt to steal trade secrets on behalf of foreign adversaries.