Saudi National Arrested for Allegedly Planting Secret Recording Device at OpenAI

A Saudi national employed by OpenAI has been arrested and charged with allegedly planting a secret recording device in a company meeting room. Abdulrahman Alfozan, 35, was taken into custody by the FBI and faces charges of using or attempting to use a device to intercept oral communications.

The complaint filed in court states that Alfozan, who had worked at OpenAI for approximately one year, used AI assistants to inquire about meeting room availability and how to build and remotely access a recording device. The room in question was used for discussions involving sensitive technical, commercial, and strategic information, as well as OpenAI's government engagements and commercial relationships. Alfozan reportedly had no authorization to access or participate in meetings held in this room.

CCTV footage showed Alfozan near the conference room on eight separate occasions in September. On September 30, OpenAI staff discovered a recording device wrapped in toilet paper hidden behind a television in the conference room. Later, on October 5, Alfozan was filmed on camera entering the room and appearing to adjust something behind the television.

On the same day, Alfozan allegedly left a bag in another room. Upon inspection by security personnel, the bag was found to contain another recording device, similar to the one discovered, along with Alfozan's wallet and identification.

OpenAI stated in a post on X that it used its AI models to analyze the device. The company has indicated that there is no evidence suggesting the individual inappropriately accessed or exfiltrated model weights, source code, or customer data.

Alfozan, who has been a legal permanent resident of the U.S. since 2020, was arrested on October 9. His employment contract with OpenAI has been terminated. His lawyer, William Pernik, told the BBC that the allegations appear to be out of character for his client and that they will thoroughly investigate all evidence. Alfozan is presumed innocent, and the information released so far constitutes accusations, not findings of guilt.

Alfozan made his initial court appearance in a federal court in California, and a detention hearing is scheduled for October 19 to determine whether he will remain in custody during the proceedings. The FBI's investigation is ongoing. If convicted, Alfozan faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.