OpenAI engineer arrested over alleged recording device in executive room

Federal authorities arrested OpenAI engineer Abdulrahman Alfozan on Oct. 9 and charged him over an alleged hidden microphone, in an OpenAI recording device arrest that centers on an executive conference room in San Francisco. The case concerns alleged interception of conversations, not a charge of corporate espionage or trade-secret theft, and OpenAI said it found no indication that model weights, source code or customer data were accessed or removed.

According to the Justice Department, OpenAI staff found an audio recording device on or about Sept. 30. It had been wrapped in toilet paper and plugged into a USB port behind a television in an executive conference room at one of the company’s San Francisco buildings.

The complaint alleges that the device was installed around Sept. 28 and that its contents were encrypted. Alfozan, 35, a Saudi national who had worked as an OpenAI engineer since July 2025, is charged with using or attempting to use an electronic, mechanical or other device to intercept oral communications. He has not been convicted, and the FBI investigation was ongoing when the department announced the case.

What was found in the OpenAI meeting room?

Prosecutors describe a concealed audio-recording device, rather than a formally classified or “top-secret” room. They say the room was used for discussions involving confidential technical, commercial and strategic matters, including proprietary research, product plans, government engagements and business relationships.

The Justice Department said CCTV footage showed Alfozan near the room on several dates before the device was discovered, despite allegations that he was not authorized to enter or join meetings there. Prosecutors also allege he used an internal productivity tool to seek information about company locations, meeting rooms, calendars and executive and partner meetings.

A chatbot account associated with Alfozan’s spouse made prompts related to constructing, modifying, concealing, testing and remotely accessing a recording device, prosecutors said. The account also submitted prompts that referred to the device’s unique MAC address, according to the complaint. Those allegations are part of the government’s evidence, not findings by a court.

On Oct. 5, the complaint alleges, Alfozan returned to the executive conference room and appeared to look behind the television. That same day, OpenAI security staff found a second, similar device in an unattended bag that prosecutors say belonged to him.

CNBC reported that OpenAI terminated Alfozan and said it had no indication he improperly accessed or exfiltrated model weights, source code or customer data. CNBC also reported that he was not charged with corporate espionage or stealing trade secrets.

If convicted, Alfozan faces a maximum five-year prison sentence, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release, according to the Justice Department.

This story draws on original reporting from Ars Technica.