Ex-Google Engineer and Family Charged Over Alleged Pixel Tensor Processor Trade Secret Theft in the US

Three engineers, including a former employee of Google, have been charged in the United States over the alleged theft of confidential trade secrets linked to the company’s Tensor processor technology used in Google Pixel smartphones.

According to an indictment unsealed in the Northern District of California, the accused are Samaneh Ghandali, her husband Mohammadjavad Khosravi, and her sister Soroor Ghandali. Federal prosecutors allege the trio conspired to steal sensitive chip design and security information and transfer it outside authorised channels.

The case is being heard at the US District Court for the Northern District of California in San Jose.

US Federal Charges Over Alleged Google Tensor Chip Trade Secret Theft

Prosecutors have filed 14 felony counts, including conspiracy to commit theft of trade secrets, theft of trade secrets, and obstruction of justice. If convicted on the most serious charges, the defendants could face lengthy prison sentences under US federal law.

Court documents state that Samaneh Ghandali worked as a hardware engineer at Google between 2019 and 2023. During that time, she allegedly had access to confidential information relating to the design and architecture of Google’s Tensor processors, the custom chips that power Pixel smartphones and support artificial intelligence features on the device.

Authorities claim that hundreds of internal files were transferred from secure systems to personal accounts and external platforms without authorisation.

How the Alleged Data Transfers Were Detected

According to the indictment, Google’s internal security systems detected unusual data access and downloads in August 2023. The company then restricted access and notified federal law enforcement.

Investigators allege that:

• Confidential Tensor chip design documents were copied to personal devices.
• Files were transferred using encrypted communication platforms.
• Some data was moved to devices linked to the other two defendants.
• Attempts were made to delete evidence after internal inquiries began.

Prosecutors further allege that certain materials were accessible outside the United States, including in Iran. Authorities have not publicly stated whether the data was successfully used or shared with any foreign entity.

Google has not disclosed the precise nature of the chip information involved, but has confirmed that it cooperated fully with investigators.

Arrests in San Jose and Current Legal Status

The three defendants were arrested in San Jose and made their initial court appearances this week. At the time of reporting, no public plea had been entered.

The case highlights increasing scrutiny by US authorities over intellectual property protection in the semiconductor and artificial intelligence sectors. Chip design, particularly for AI-enabled smartphones, is considered highly sensitive due to its commercial and strategic value.

Legal experts note that trade secret theft cases have risen in recent years as competition in AI hardware intensifies globally.

Rising Concerns Over Trade Secret Theft in the AI Chip Industry

The alleged theft comes at a time when competition in mobile processors and AI chips is accelerating. Google’s Tensor processors are central to its Pixel smartphone strategy, enabling on-device AI features such as voice recognition, image processing, and security functions.

The broader technology sector has seen several high-profile prosecutions related to chip design and AI research over the past few years. Industry analysts say insider threats, where employees misuse legitimate access, remain one of the most difficult risks for companies to manage.

For Google and other large technology firms, protecting proprietary semiconductor designs is critical to maintaining a competitive advantage in the global smartphone and AI markets.

What Happens Next in the Google Trade Secrets Case?

The case will proceed through the federal court system in California. Prosecutors must now present evidence supporting the charges, while the defence will have the opportunity to contest the allegations.

As of now, the allegations remain unproven, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless found guilty in court.

The outcome of this case could have wider implications for corporate data security, export controls, and insider risk management in the technology industry.