OpenAI engineer charged over alleged hidden recording device in office
Federal prosecutors charged Abdulrahman Alfozan after a device was found in an OpenAI conference room. The available reporting does not establish whether it recorded anything.
OpenAI engineer Abdulrahman Alfozan was charged by US federal prosecutors after a hidden recording device was found in an executive conference room at the company's office, the BBC reported on 13 October. Prosecutors allege that he used or attempted to use a device to intercept oral communications; the charge has not established whether it recorded anything.
What was found in the OpenAI conference room
Prosecutors said the device, wrapped in toilet paper, was inserted into a USB port on the back of a television, according to the BBC. Reuters reported that it was allegedly installed on or about 28 September and discovered on 30 September.
OpenAI said it discovered the device, identified an employee it believed had planted it and referred the matter to the FBI, The Guardian reported. The company terminated the employee and said it had no indication that source code, model weights or customer data had been improperly accessed or taken. The investigation is continuing, according to The Guardian.
Sources and context
- Saudi national charged with planting recording device at OpenAI officeBBC News
- OpenAI employee arrested after recording device found in officeThe Guardian
- Saudi OpenAI engineer arrested by FBI for planting covert recording device, US DOJ saysCNA, citing Reuters
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