OpenAI engineer charged after listening device found in meeting room
US authorities say a Saudi national was arrested and charged after allegedly planting a concealed surveillance device.
Key points
- Abdulrahman Alfozan, 35, an OpenAI engineer, was arrested after a listening device was found in a conference room.
- He faces up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
- OpenAI fired him and said no customer data or model weights were accessed.
A 35-year-old Saudi national, Abdulrahman Alfozan, who worked as an engineer at OpenAI, has been arrested after a listening device was found in the company's conference room, US authorities said. The Department of Justice said Alfozan had worked at the artificial intelligence firm since July 2025.
Prosecutors accused him of using the device to illegally obtain sensitive information. He made his first court appearance on Tuesday and faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Device and investigation
A Justice Department complaint said the device, hidden in toilet paper, was installed around September 28 and discovered on September 30. Video surveillance showed Alfozan near the executive conference room on multiple dates before the device was found, even though he had no authority to enter or take part in its meetings, which were highly confidential.
OpenAI security personnel also found a second listening device in Alfozan's bag. The company said it used its own AI models to identify the employee who planted the device and then referred the matter to the FBI.
Protecting American [super intelligence] innovation is essential to safeguarding our nation's economic strength and national security
— Kash Patel
Official reactions
FBI Director Kash Patel said, "Protecting American [super intelligence] innovation is essential to safeguarding our nation's economic strength and national security," and called the mission a top counterintelligence priority. US Attorney General Todd Blanche said the case was taken extremely seriously and that theft of intellectual property involving cutting-edge super intelligence technology poses a serious threat to national security.
OpenAI said it had no indications that the individual inappropriately accessed or exfiltrated model weights, source code or customer data, and that the employee was terminated. The company added that the FBI's investigation is ongoing and it will continue to support their work. Alfozan has been charged with using or attempting to use an electronic, mechanical or other device to intercept oral communications.
