FBI Arrests OpenAI Engineer Accused of Planting Hidden Recording Device

The FBI has arrested an OpenAI employee accused of secretly installing an audio recording device in an executive conference room at the company’s San Francisco office. Federal prosecutors identified the suspect as Abdulrahman Alfozan, a 35-year-old Saudi national who joined OpenAI in July 2025.

OpenAI arrested Alfozan on October 9, 2026, after discovering the device and reporting the incident to federal authorities. According to an October 13 Justice Department announcement, he faces a federal charge of using or attempting to use an electronic device to intercept oral communications.

Hidden Recorder Discovered in OpenAI Conference Room

OpenAI security personnel discovered the device on September 30, concealed in a USB port behind a television in an executive meeting room. Investigators believe it was installed around September 28 and found that its stored contents were encrypted.

The conference room regularly hosted confidential discussions about research, product development and business strategy. Prosecutors said Alfozan lacked authorisation to attend those meetings.

Security footage allegedly showed Alfozan near the conference room multiple times, including on October 5, when he appeared to inspect the area behind the television. Investigators also found a second similar recording device in a bag he carried.

Investigators Examine Digital Activity

Federal prosecutors allege that Alfozan searched for information about OpenAI’s offices, executive meeting locations and conference room schedules. A chatbot account associated with his spouse also contained inquiries about audio recording, encryption, wireless connectivity and remote access, including technical identifiers linked to the discovered device.

In a public statement on X, OpenAI said it used internal AI models to analyse the equipment. The company described advanced encryption, audio monitoring capabilities and data transfer functions designed to avoid detection.

OpenAI said it found no indication that Alfozan improperly accessed or removed model weights, source code or customer data. The company fired him following the discovery.

Employee Faces Federal Criminal Charge

FBI Director Kash Patel said the suspected operation was intended to capture sensitive discussions about OpenAI’s superintelligence technology. Authorities have not publicly confirmed whether they successfully recorded or transmitted confidential conversations.

Alfozan first appeared in federal court on October 13 and faces up to five years in prison if convicted. The FBI investigation remains ongoing, and the allegations have not been proven in court.