Federal prosecutors have charged Abdulrahman Alfozan, a Saudi national, with secretly planting a recording device at OpenAI. 

He worked there as an engineer. The charge says he used or tried to use a device to intercept private spoken conversations.

OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, found what it called a “sophisticated recording device” in its office. The company then called the FBI.

OpenAI also fired the employee.

Also read: OpenAI Fired Three Safety Researchers

Spy Device

Prosecutors say the device was plugged into a USB port on the back of a TV in an executive conference room. It was wrapped in toilet paper to help it blend in.

This is a room where executives discuss; a hidden recorder could pick up sensitive details.

OpenAI employees found the device on September 30. Prosecutors say that the encrypted device had been installed just two days earlier. 

OpenAI had used its own AI models to study the gadget to figure out where it came from. The findings pointed to a specific employee who had planted it a few days earlier.

FBI Director Kash Patel said the suspect “allegedly concealed a covert recording device” to capture sensitive information to gather information about the company’s AI product.

Alfozan had worked at OpenAI as an engineer since July 2025.

Also read: “We Spoke Up and Got Fired”-Former OpenAI Safety Researchers

Chatbots

According to the FBI, Alfozan used a “productivity tool” and a “chatbot” to research the plan.

They say he looked into sensitive spots inside the company and asked how to place audio gear in secret.

Prosecutors listed several prompts they say he searched. They covered building, customizing, installing, testing, remote access, and hiding a device. 

There were more pointed prompts such as ‘how to build a continuous audio recorder’ and ‘how to set up Wi-Fi connectivity’. 

He also allegedly asked about better live listening and encrypting the SD card.

The Burst 

On October 5, CCTV footage caught him going back to check on the device.

 

That same day, Alfozan left a bag alone in a different part of the building. OpenAI’s security team opened it. 

Inside, they found his wallet, ID, and a second recording device. Prosecutors say it looked similar to the one in the conference room.

Data Breach?

There’s no sign that anyone took or misused key assets: source code, model weights, and customer data. 

Alfozan appeared in court on Tuesday, but it’s unclear whether he has a lawyer. 

If he’s found guilty, he could face up to five years in prison. He could also face a fine of $250,000, or about £187,000.