A former OpenAI engineer, Abdulrahman Alfozan, is accused of secretly planting an audio recorder in a conference room at the company. OpenAI staff found the device plugged into the back of a TV and obscured with toilet paper on 30 September; security footage later captured Alfozan appearing to look behind that television on 5 October. He was arrested by the FBI on 9 October, had his contract terminated, and is charged federally; prosecutors say the device is concerning because executives met with government officials in the room while it may have been active.
Court filings allege Alfozan received substantial assistance from Saudi contacts, including frequent communications with a member of the royal family and a Saudi military official who paid for a one‑way business-class ticket that transported his wife and son out of the US the day after his arrest. Prosecutors argue this support and his imminent one-way travel plans make him a flight risk and a potential national security threat, and they seek his detention pending trial. The FBI investigation continues; if convicted he faces up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine, and he is due to appear in federal court in San Francisco.
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An ex-OpenAI employee has been accused of planting a device, with evidence suggesting possible backing from Saudi interests. The case is currently ongoing in court. (reuters.com)
A former OpenAI engineer was arrested after allegedly installing a listening device in an office conference room. He was in contact with a Saudi royal and planned to leave the U.S. for Riyadh, with evidence suggesting possible additional devices. (cbsnews.com)
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