Former OpenAI engineer charged over hidden office recording device

Device found during an office sweep

Federal authorities have arrested former OpenAI engineer Abdulrahman Alfozan after a listening device was discovered inside an executive conference room at the company, according to Reuters, the Financial Times and The Verge. Reports citing the criminal case say the device was placed in or near a television’s USB port and disguised with tissue or toilet paper. It was discovered during a security sweep on September 30, shortly after prosecutors allege it had been planted. Alfozan, a Saudi national, joined OpenAI’s product team in July 2025, according to the Financial Times.^[1][2][3]

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Charge remains an allegation

Alfozan has been charged with attempting to intercept oral communications. The Financial Times reported that he was arrested on October 9 and made an initial appearance in federal court. Prosecutors also alleged that evidence suggested an intention to place additional devices. Those claims have not been tested at trial, and the filing of a charge does not establish guilt. The FBI investigation remains open, Reuters reported.^[1][2][3]

OpenAI says sensitive systems were not exposed

OpenAI terminated Alfozan and referred the matter to the FBI after an internal investigation, the reports said. Reuters reported that the company used internal artificial-intelligence tools as part of identifying the employee. OpenAI said it had found no evidence that model weights, source code, customer information or other sensitive technology had been accessed or leaked. That distinction is central to the case: the alleged conduct concerns covert audio collection inside an office, while the available reporting does not describe a breach of the systems that store the company’s models or user data. The company’s findings do not resolve the criminal allegation, which will proceed through the federal court process.^[1][3]