US indicts individuals involved in sensitive tech theft

CyberScoop reports that the U.S. Justice and Commerce Department's Disruptive Technology Strike Force has filed charges against Greek national Nikolaos Bogonikolos, former Apple software engineer Weibao Wang, and two Russian nationals for their involvement in separate instances of stealing sensitive technologies to help U.S. adversaries. Bogonikolos was indicted for allegedly smuggling U.S. tech to Russian intelligence agencies and nuclear and quantum research facilities in an effort to develop 'prototype quantum cryptographic complex information security equipment' and 'protected communication networks' for warfare efforts. The U.S. is looking to extradite Bogonikolos, who was apprehended in France. On the other hand, Wang was charged with theft or attempted theft of the autonomy source code of Apple, while the Russians have been accused of conspiracy to violate the Export Control Reform Act after delivering U.S. parts to Russian airlines and engaging in money laundering schemes. "We are not going to stop every transfer of every sensitive technology we're not going to get to zero. But I think you're seeing where the efforts of not only the United States but our allies and partners around the world to prevent the transfer of technology to Russia supportive of its war effort is having a significant and detrimental effect on the Russian economy and in particular on its military readiness," said Justice Department National Security Division Assistant Attorney General Matthew Olsen.