Science & Tech · Cybersecurity · 3 hrs ago
OpenAI accuses former employee of sharing device plans with Apple
OpenAI alleges a former employee took more than 100 confidential files about an unreleased device before leaving for Apple.
The employee, whose name has not been disclosed, had worked at Apple, spent six months at OpenAI and then returned to Apple.
OpenAI says the files included engineering and manufacturing details, and that the former employee later briefed senior Apple leaders on its product plans.
Apple says it has found no evidence supporting the allegation and has policies to prevent new hires from using former employers’ confidential information.
The claim adds a new dispute to Apple’s lawsuit accusing OpenAI of taking Apple trade secrets; OpenAI denies those allegations.
The companies are competing to build AI-enabled devices, so OpenAI says the information could help Apple shape its products.
The new allegation delayed a court hearing, and OpenAI may file a countersuit; the case is likely to go to trial in October 2027.
OpenAI accused a former employee of sending more than 100 confidential files about an unreleased device to personal accounts and presenting product plans to Apple executives.
The employee had previously worked at Apple, joined OpenAI for six months and then returned to Apple, according to OpenAI’s court filing.
Apple said it had found no evidence to support the allegations and had policies to prevent new employees from using confidential information from previous workplaces.
The allegations emerged in an ongoing trade secrets lawsuit that Apple brought against OpenAI.
At a hearing on October 14, OpenAI also agreed not to use Apple trade secrets allegedly taken by former Apple employees while the case proceeds.
- Who
- OpenAI accused an unnamed former employee who returned to Apple of sharing its confidential device information with Apple.
- What
- OpenAI alleged the employee sent more than 100 files to personal accounts and presented product plans to Apple executives.
- When
- The allegations were reported on October 14, 2026; OpenAI said the last file was sent in June.
- Where
- The dispute is before a US federal court in San Jose, California.
- Why
- OpenAI said it was concerned Apple could use its confidential information in its own products; Apple said it found no evidence supporting the allegations.
OpenAI
Apple
Alleged information sharing
OpenAI
OpenAI said a former employee sent more than 100 confidential files about an unreleased device to personal accounts and presented product plans to Apple executives.
Apple
Apple said it found no evidence to support OpenAI’s allegations.
Use of confidential information
OpenAI
OpenAI asked to investigate whether Apple possessed or used the information and said it was concerned Apple engineers could use it in upcoming products.
Apple
Apple said it has policies to prevent new employees from using confidential information from previous workplaces and would work with OpenAI to remediate any of its information found on Apple systems.
Underlying lawsuit
OpenAI
OpenAI denied Apple’s claims that it took Apple trade secrets and argued the lawsuit seeks to restrain employees from leaving for a competitor.
Apple
Apple accused OpenAI and former Apple employees of taking confidential information to develop OpenAI hardware.
OpenAI alleged the former employee sent the last file on the employee’s final day.
OpenAI’s allegations about the former employee were reported in court filings.
OpenAI agreed not to use Apple trade secrets allegedly taken by former Apple employees while the legal case continues.
The case is likely to go to trial, according to the Guardian.
- Files
- More than 100 confidential files allegedly sent to personal accounts
- Employee’s OpenAI tenure
- Six months
- Court
- US federal court in San Jose, California
- OpenAI agreement
- Agreed not to use Apple trade secrets allegedly taken by former employees
- Potential trial
- October 2027
8 sources
OpenAI vows not to use trade secrets allegedly taken from Apple
OpenAI accuses former employee of leaking intel on AI device to Apple
OpenAI обвинила экс-сотрудника в краже 100 файлов перед уходом в Apple
OpenAI accuses employee who left for Apple of leaking plans for unreleased device
OpenAI Says Ex-Employee Showed Its Device Plans to Apple
OpenAI says it's 'very concerned' that its trade secrets could help Apple's push into AI-enabled devices
OpenAI cries foul, says Apple stole secrets from it in 2026
OpenAI employee who left for Apple took files about unreleased device, OpenAI alleges
What people are saying
OpenAI is very concerned that its trade secret and confidential information is now circulating inside Apple, where Apple engineers can shape Apple’s upcoming products based on OpenAI’s confidential and innovative work
OpenAI has no need or desire for Apple’s trade secrets.
Apple has found no evidence to support the allegations and that it has strict policies in place to make sure new employees don’t use confidential information from previous workplaces.
They don’t have 400 bad apples, your Honour, they have a few bad apples and know who they are