OpenAI engineer arrested over alleged secret recording device

OpenAI engineer Abdulrahman Alfozan appeared in a federal court in California after being arrested by the FBI on 9 October. He is charged with using or attempting to use a device to intercept oral communications. The allegations have not been proven.

According to the official complaint, a recording device wrapped in toilet paper was found behind a television in an OpenAI meeting room on 30 September. The room was used for meetings about confidential technical, commercial and strategic information, as well as government engagements and commercial relationships. The complaint says Alfozan had no authority to access or participate in those meetings.

The complaint also says Alfozan asked an AI assistant about meeting rooms between 17 August and 16 September, and used a chatbot associated with his spouse to ask how to build and install a recording device and access it remotely. CCTV reportedly showed him near the room on eight occasions in September. On 5 October, he was filmed entering it and appearing to look behind the television. An unattended bag left in a different room that day contained another similar recording device, along with his wallet and ID, according to the complaint.

OpenAI said it used its AI models to examine the device and its origin. The company said it had no indication that Alfozan accessed or removed model weights, source code or customer data inappropriately. His contract was terminated. His lawyer said the allegations were out of character and urged the public to withhold judgment. Alfozan is presumed innocent.

A detention hearing is scheduled for 19 October. If convicted, he faces up to five years in prison and a $250,000 (£190,000) fine.