The short versionOpenAI found a hidden recording device plugged into a USB port on the back of a TV in an executive conference room in its San Francisco office. Prosecutors named Abdulrahman Alfozan, who was fired and arrested on October 9 and charged with using a device to intercept oral communications. Separately, on October 14, OpenAI alleged in a court filing that a different former employee sent over a hundred confidential device files to personal accounts and presented OpenAI's plans to Apple's senior leadership. Apple told Reuters it found no evidence to support the allegations.
It sounds like a spy movie, but it's two court cases. In one week, OpenAI dealt with a hidden recorder in its own boardroom and accused a former employee of taking its device plans to Apple. The lesson applies to any business with something worth protecting.
What happened
OpenAI discovered a recording device inserted into a USB port on the back of a television in an executive conference room in its San Francisco office, TechCrunch reported. Federal prosecutors named the employee as Abdulrahman Alfozan. He was fired and arrested on October 9, about a week after the device was found, and charged with using an electronic device to intercept oral communications. TechCrunch reports he faces five years in prison if convicted.
FBI Director Kash Patel said the scheme was to "capture sensitive communications about the company's super intelligence technology." OpenAI said on X: "At this time, we have no indications of this individual inappropriately accessing or exfiltrating model weights, source code, or customer data." These are charges, not a conviction.
The Apple filing
Separately, on October 14, OpenAI claimed in a court filing that a different former employee, who had come from Apple and went back, sent "over a hundred highly confidential files about at least one unreleased OpenAI device under development to his personal accounts," 9to5Mac reports. OpenAI also says the person "made a presentation about OpenAI's plans to Apple's senior leadership, including Apple's vice president of operations in Asia."
OpenAI wrote that it "is very concerned that its trade secret and confidential information is now circulating inside Apple." Apple told Reuters it hasn't found any evidence to support these allegations, according to 9to5Mac.
Why brands should care
You don't need to be building AI to have something worth taking: client lists, pricing, supplier terms, launch plans. Both stories come down to the same weak point, people with access, during their time at a company and on the way out.
What to do
Our suggestions for any business:
- Cut access the day someone leaves. Email, shared drives, ad accounts, social logins, password managers.
- Limit who sees what. Not everyone needs the full client list or next quarter's plan.
- Check your meeting rooms. Unfamiliar devices plugged into TVs or chargers deserve a second look.
Sources
- TechCrunch: FBI arrests OpenAI employee accused of planting hidden recording device in conference room (Oct 13, 2026)
- U.S. Attorney's Office, Northern District of California
- 9to5Mac: OpenAI alleges ex-employee took highly confidential device files to Apple (Oct 14, 2026)
FAQ
What happened at OpenAI's office?
OpenAI found a recording device inserted into a USB port on the back of a TV in an executive conference room in San Francisco. Prosecutors charged employee Abdulrahman Alfozan, who was fired and arrested on October 9.
Did the OpenAI spy take model weights or source code?
OpenAI said: "At this time, we have no indications of this individual inappropriately accessing or exfiltrating model weights, source code, or customer data."
What did OpenAI accuse Apple of?
In an October 14 filing, OpenAI alleged a former employee who returned to Apple sent over a hundred confidential device files to personal accounts and presented OpenAI's plans to Apple's senior leadership. Apple told Reuters it found no evidence to support the allegations.
