In brief
A Saudi national was charged with secretly placing a recording device in an OpenAI office in California. The device, wrapped in toilet paper, was hidden in a USB port behind a TV in a conference room. OpenAI used its AI models to trace the device back to the engineer, who is alleged to have used a chatbot to learn how to install the spy. The suspect, Abdulrahman Alfozan, appeared in court and faces up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The case highlights new security challenges for leading AI firms.
A Saudi national has been charged with secretly planting a recording device in one of OpenAI’s offices in California.
Abdulrahman Alfozan, an engineer at OpenAI since July 2025, faces federal charges for using a device to intercept oral communications.
OpenAI discovered a sophisticated recorder hidden in an executive conference room, wrapped in toilet paper and inserted in a USB port on the back of a TV, and alerted the FBI.
Investigators say no source code, model weights or customer data were accessed, and the employee has been fired.
Alfozan allegedly concealed a covert recorder to capture sensitive communications about the company’s AI product, prosecutors claim.
FBI Director Kash Patel said the suspect used productivity tools and a chatbot to research how to place audio equipment and remotely access the device.
CCTV footage linked Alfozan to the room on 5 October, and a second device was found in a bag he left unattended that day.
Alfozan appeared in court and faces a potential five‑year sentence and a $250,000 fine.
The incident raises questions about security protocols in high‑profile AI firms.
