An OpenAI engineer was arrested after a hidden recording device was discovered in an executive conference room at the company's San Francisco office.
Key facts
- •Abdulrahman Alfozan was arrested on October 9 after a recording device was found in an OpenAI executive conference room.
- •The device was discovered wrapped in toilet paper and plugged into a USB port on a television.
- •OpenAI stated the employee had no authority to access the meetings held in that specific room.
- •The company confirmed it has no evidence that model weights, source code, or customer data were accessed or stolen.
- •Alfozan faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine if convicted.
Abdulrahman Alfozan, an engineer employed by OpenAI since July 2025, was arrested by the FBI on October 9. The arrest followed the discovery of a recording device hidden behind a television in an executive conference room at the company's San Francisco headquarters. OpenAI confirmed it terminated the employee’s contract after identifying him as the individual responsible for planting the device.
Details of the Alleged Surveillance
According to a federal complaint, the device was found wrapped in toilet paper and inserted into a USB port on the back of a television. The conference room was frequently used for discussions regarding highly confidential technical, commercial, and strategic information, as well as government engagements. Prosecutors allege that CCTV footage captured Alfozan near the room on eight separate occasions in September. Court documents indicate that Alfozan had used a productivity AI assistant to inquire about meeting room availability and external partners. Additionally, he allegedly used a chatbot associated with his spouse to research how to build, install, and remotely access a recording device. OpenAI stated that it used its own models to identify the source of the device and noted there was no indication that the individual accessed or exfiltrated model weights, source code, or customer data.
Legal Proceedings
Alfozan, a 35-year-old legal permanent resident of the United States, made his initial appearance in a federal court in California on Tuesday. He faces charges of using or endeavoring to use an electronic, mechanical, or other device to intercept oral communications. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release. Alfozan’s attorney, William Pernik, stated that the allegations appear out of character and requested that the public withhold judgment, emphasizing the presumption of innocence. A detention hearing is scheduled for October 19 to determine if Alfozan will remain in custody during the proceedings.
Timeline
- July 2025Abdulrahman Alfozan began his employment as an engineer at OpenAI.
- September 2025CCTV footage recorded Alfozan near the executive conference room on eight occasions.
- October 9Alfozan was arrested by the FBI.
- October 19A detention hearing is scheduled to determine if Alfozan will remain in custody.
Advertisement
This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by BBC Technology, Euronews Next.
