OpenAI engineer arrested over alleged hidden recording device in meeting room
In short
Abdulrahman Alfozan, a 35-year-old OpenAI engineer, was arrested on October 9 on allegations of illegally intercepting oral communications, Chinese outlets reported. OpenAI said it had found a hidden recording device in an executive meeting room, dismissed the employee and referred the matter to the FBI.
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An OpenAI engineer, Abdulrahman Alfozan, 35, was arrested on October 9 over allegations of illegally intercepting oral communications using a hidden recording device, Chinese outlets reported. Caixin reported that the Saudi national appeared in federal court on October 13 and had worked as an OpenAI engineer since July 2025. The case concerns a device discovered in an executive meeting room at the company's San Francisco offices. [ 5 , 7 ]
OpenAI security personnel found the device on September 30, plugged into a USB port behind a television and concealed with toilet paper, according to IT Home. The outlet reported investigators' account that it had been installed around September 28 and contained encrypted data. It said another similar customised device was later found in Alfozan's personal bag. [ 2 , 5 ]
Prosecutors said the meeting room was regularly used to discuss confidential research, product plans, technical capabilities, business relationships and government cooperation, according to IT Home. The outlet said surveillance footage showed Alfozan near the room repeatedly despite not being authorised to attend its meetings. Prosecutors also alleged he used a productivity tool to search for office locations, executive locations and meeting arrangements. [ 5 ]
OpenAI said it used its own models to analyse the device and its origin, identified an employee it suspected of installing it, and referred the case to the FBI. The company said the employee had been dismissed and that it had no indication of improper access to or disclosure of model weights, source code or customer data. IT Home reported that, if convicted, Alfozan could face up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Huxiu reported that the case had not been adjudicated. [ 4 , 5 , 6 , 9 ]
Why it matters
The meeting room was used for confidential company discussions, according to prosecutors' account reported by IT Home. OpenAI said it had found no indication of improper access to or disclosure of model weights, source code or customer data.
Key facts
- Alfozan was arrested on October 9 and appeared in federal court on October 13. [ 1 , 7 , 9 ]
- OpenAI personnel found the device in a San Francisco executive meeting room on September 30. [ 2 , 5 , 7 , 9 ]
- The device was plugged into a USB port behind a television and concealed with toilet paper. [ 2 , 5 , 7 , 9 ]
- OpenAI said the employee was dismissed and it found no indication of improper access to model weights, source code or customer data. [ 2 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 9 ]
Confirmed by several sources
Still unclear
- The motive and whether recordings were transmitted. Huxiu said public materials did not establish the motive and it was unclear whether audio was sent over a wireless network.