Tech · 19 d ago
FBI charges OpenAI engineer over a hidden microphone
Abdulrahman Alfozan, a 35-year-old OpenAI engineer, was arrested on Oct 9 and charged with intercepting oral communications, the US Department of Justice said. He faces up to five years in prison and a US$250,000 fine if convicted.
What we know
- Device found on Sept 30
- A second device was found in his bag
- Arrested and fired on Oct 9
Not yet
- Whether anything recorded left the company
- What the FBI investigation will find
Prosecutors allege he plugged a recording device, wrapped in toilet paper, into a TV in a conference room reserved for executives. OpenAI says it found the device on Sept 30 and saw no sign that customer data was compromised.
“Protecting American [super intelligence] innovation is critically important, and FBI views it as one of our highest counterintelligence priorities.”
— Kash Patel, FBI director
Also in court
In a separate case, OpenAI told a court that a former employee showed its device plans to Apple's leadership. Apple says it found no evidence to support the claim and is itself suing OpenAI over trade secrets.
