World · North America · 15 mins ago
OpenAI engineer charged over recording device hidden in California office
Former OpenAI engineer Abdulrahman Alfozan has been charged in the United States over a recording device allegedly planted in the company’s California office.
Prosecutors say Alfozan, a Saudi national, was charged with trying to intercept conversations using an electronic device.
The device was found hidden in a San Francisco conference room, plugged into the back of a television and concealed in toilet paper.
OpenAI said it discovered the device during a regular room check and dismissed Alfozan; prosecutors say he was arrested and remains in federal custody.
The company said the device was in the room for about two days, and that it found no indication that source code, AI models or customer data had been accessed or taken.
Prosecutors allege he had other recording devices and intended to place more in the offices.
The case matters because the device was in a room used for confidential discussions, while OpenAI says it has found no evidence that its data was compromised.
Federal prosecutors charged Abdulrahman Alfozan, a Saudi national and former OpenAI engineer, with using or attempting to use a device to intercept oral communications.
OpenAI said it discovered a recording device hidden in a conference room at its San Francisco office and alerted the FBI.
The device was found on September 30, inserted into a USB port on the back of a television and concealed in toilet paper, according to the Justice Department.
OpenAI said the device had been in the room for about two days and that Alfozan had been dismissed.
The company said it had no indication that source code, model weights or customer data were inappropriately accessed or taken.
- Who
- Abdulrahman Alfozan, a Saudi national and former OpenAI engineer.
- What
- He was charged with using or attempting to use a device to intercept oral communications.
- When
- He was arrested on October 9; the charge was announced on October 13, 2026.
- Where
- An OpenAI office in San Francisco, California.
- Why
- Prosecutors allege he planted the device to intercept oral communications. A motive is not stated.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
OpenAI said the device was in the conference room for about two days before it was discovered.
The device was found during a regular sweep of a conference room.
Alfozan was arrested and remained in federal custody, CNN reported.
Federal prosecutors announced charges against Alfozan.
- Suspect
- Abdulrahman Alfozan, 35
- Device location
- USB port on the back of a television in a conference room
- Discovery date
- September 30
- Arrest date
- October 9
- Company location
- San Francisco, California
- Employment
- OpenAI product team engineer since July 2025, according to the Justice Department
What people are saying
At this time, we have no indications of this individual inappropriately accessing or exfiltrating model weights, source code, or customer data
a matter of national security
Sources
Accusé d'avoir posé un micro chez OpenAI, un ingénieur saoudien arrêté et inculpé à San Francisco
FBI arrests Saudi OpenAI employee who allegedly planted recording device in conference room
F.B.I. Arrests OpenAI Employee Accused of Planting Bug in Office
OpenAI employee arrested by FBI after listening device was found at its office
Saudi national charged with secretly planting recording device in OpenAI office
OpenAI employee arrested for allegedly hiding a ‘sophisticated recording device’ in its office
US indicts Saudi employee of OpenAI for allegedly bugging its offices
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