The U.S. Department of Justice charged OpenAI engineer Abdulrahman Alfozan, 35, with using or endeavoring to use an electronic device to intercept oral communications. Alfozan, a Saudi national who joined the company in July 2025, was arrested on October 9 and made an initial appearance on October 13. OpenAI said it found a sophisticated recording device in an executive conference room and used its models to identify the employee.
According to the complaint, staff discovered the device on or about September 30 inserted into a USB port on the back of a television and concealed in toilet paper. The company determined it had been installed around September 28. Its stored data was encrypted. On October 5, security footage showed Alfozan looking behind the television. That same day staff found a second similar device in an unattended bag containing his wallet and ID. OpenAI terminated him and referred the matter to the FBI. The company said it has no indications he accessed or exfiltrated model weights, source code, or customer data.
FBI Director Kash Patel stated the device was intended to capture sensitive communications about the company’s super intelligence technology. The case is in the Northern District of California. OpenAI posted on X that the investigation is ongoing and it will continue to support the FBI. See the DOJ release and OpenAI’s statement.
Key takeaways
- Abdulrahman Alfozan arrested October 9; charged with intercepting oral communications.
- Device found September 30 in executive conference room; second device in his bag October 5.
- OpenAI says no evidence of model weights or customer data access; employee terminated.
What the discovery timeline shows about the device
The first device sat in the conference room for roughly two days before discovery. OpenAI later placed a camera that captured Alfozan returning to the room on October 5. The second device was found the same day in an unattended bag. Both devices were described as sophisticated and encrypted. The complaint does not allege successful exfiltration of model weights or customer data.
The episode sits alongside ongoing Apple trade-secrets litigation in which a judge recently ordered expedited discovery of hiring materials related to former Apple employees now at OpenAI. Both matters involve access to sensitive hardware and strategy discussions. For broader context on AI infrastructure, see the content creator stack piece.
What to watch next
The FBI investigation remains open. Court filings will show whether additional charges are filed and what the devices recorded. OpenAI’s next security update will indicate whether the company changed physical access controls or monitoring after the incident.