Three Silicon Valley engineers have been federally indicted for allegedly stealing trade secrets from Google and transferring sensitive technology data to Iran. The defendants — two former Google employees and an alleged co-conspirator — are accused of unlawfully copying hundreds of confidential files, including processor security and cryptography materials, and transferring them to personal devices and third-party platforms.

Prosecutors allege deliberate efforts to evade internal controls, including photographing proprietary hardware architecture information and providing false statements during an internal investigation. Charges include conspiracy to commit trade secret theft, theft and attempted theft of trade secrets, and obstruction of justice.

If convicted, the defendants face significant criminal penalties, including up to 10 years’ imprisonment per trade secret count and up to 20 years for obstruction.

The case underscores the growing enforcement focus on trade secret protection, cross-border technology transfers, and insider risk in high-value innovation sectors.