FBI arrests Saudi OpenAI engineer over hidden recording device
AI-generated briefing · First published
Abdulrahman Alfozan, 35, was arrested on 9 October after planting a device in an executive conference room at OpenAI’s San Francisco office.
OpenAI discovered the device on 30 September, reported it to the FBI and fired Alfozan, who had worked at the company since July 2025. Prosecutors say he wrapped the USB device in toilet paper and hid it behind a television; a second identical device was later found in his bag. [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7]
Alfozan is charged with intercepting oral communications and faces up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. OpenAI said it has no evidence he accessed model weights, source code or customer data. [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7]
Sources
- FBI arrests OpenAI employee accused of planting hidden recording device in conference room
TechCrunch · · Full text
- OpenAI says employee caught planting listening device
DW English · · Full text
- Saudi OpenAI employee arrested after recording device found in headquarters
The Guardian · · Excerpt
- FBI arrests Saudi OpenAI employee for allegedly bugging San Francisco office
France 24 English · · Full text
- 一名 OpenAI 工程师被捕：涉嫌秘密录制高管会议，最高面临 5 年监禁
ITHome · · Summary only
- Saudi national charged with planting a listening device at OpenAI offices
Al Jazeera · · Excerpt
- Toilet paper and secret recorders: What we know about the arrest of the Saudi OpenAI engineer
BBC Business · · Full text