Corporate espionage is currently one of the biggest issues in the technology sector. Many companies are ready to pay millions of dollars to thieves in order to acquire the technologies developed by their rivals. So what happens when tensions between two countries are added to this already dire situation? Exactly this has happened to Apple. The company, which has not been on good terms with its former employees for some time, faced a situation where a former engineer was charged with the theft of autonomous technology and then fled to China. Here are the details…

Former Apple Engineer Charged with Stealing Autonomous Vehicle Technology

A former Apple engineer has been charged with stealing proprietary autonomous vehicle technology from Apple and fleeing to China. Weibao Wang, 35, joined Apple in 2016 and worked on the company’s self-driving car project. In 2017, he accepted a position at a Chinese company that also develops autonomous vehicles. However, he concealed this change of employment from Apple for four months.

After Wang left Apple, the company conducted an internal investigation and found that he had accessed proprietary data in the days leading up to his departure. In June 2018, federal agents raided Wang’s home and found “large quantities” of Apple’s data. Wang fled to China shortly after the raid.

The U.S. Department of Justice has charged Wang with two counts: theft of trade secrets and interstate transportation of stolen property. If convicted, he could face up to 10 years in prison for each charge. “We stand vigilant in enforcing U.S. laws to stop the flow of sensitive technologies to our foreign adversaries,” said Matt Olsen, chief of the DOJ’s National Security Division. “We are committed to doing all we can to prevent these advanced tools from falling into the hands of foreign adversaries.”

The charges against Wang are part of a broader campaign by the U.S. government to curb economic espionage and technology theft. In recent years, a number of individuals and companies have been charged with stealing trade secrets from American companies. This case underscores the importance of protecting sensitive technology from foreign threats.

Companies that develop or use such technology should prioritize safeguarding their intellectual property, which includes implementing stringent security measures and educating employees about the risks of Corporate espionage. The DOJ’s charges against Wang send a strong message that the U.S. government is serious about combating espionage. This case should serve as a deterrent to individuals and companies who are considering stealing American technology.

RELATED:

(via)

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR