Federal authorities charged Abdulrahman Alfozan with using or attempting to use an electronic device to intercept oral communications in the United States. OpenAI discovered a sophisticated recording device hidden inside its San Francisco office on 30 September.
The company alerted the FBI after finding the encrypted device inserted into a USB port on the back of a television in an executive conference room. OpenAI fired Alfozan, who had been employed as an engineer at the firm since 1 July.
The company stated it has no indication that customer data, model weights, or source code were accessed or taken. FBI Director Kash Patel said Alfozan "allegedly concealed a covert recording device inside his employer's executive conference room to secretly capture sensitive communications".
Alfozan allegedly returned to inspect the equipment on 5 October and left a bag unattended. A security team for OpenAI found Alfozan's wallet, identification card, and a second recording device inside that bag.
Alfozan appeared in court on 14 October and faces a potential fine of $250,000 and up to five years in prison if convicted.
