OpenAI engineer arrested for allegedly planting hidden audio recorder in conference room

A Saudi national who worked as an engineer at OpenAI appeared in a California federal court on Tuesday after being charged by the FBI with attempting to use a device to intercept oral communications. The indictment alleges that Abdulrahman Alfozan placed a hidden audio recorder behind a television in a conference room that is used for discussions of confidential technical, commercial and strategic matters, including government engagements.

According to the complaint, Alfozan asked an AI productivity assistant between August 17 and September 16 for information about meeting-room availability and external partners. In September, he reportedly used a chatbot linked to his spouse to obtain instructions on building and installing a recording device and accessing it remotely.

OpenAI staff discovered the device, wrapped in toilet paper, on September 30. Security footage captured Alfozan entering the room on October 5 and looking behind the television where the recorder was found. The same day, a bag left unattended in another room contained a second similar device, along with Alfozan’s wallet and identification.

OpenAI said it employed its own AI models to analyze the device and its origin, adding that there is no evidence the individual accessed or exfiltrated model weights, source code, or customer data. Alfozan, who had been employed since July 2025, was arrested on October 9 and his contract with the company was terminated. His lawyer, William Pernik, told the BBC that Alfozan came to the United States as a young person and that the allegations appear out of character. Pernik asked the public to withhold judgment until the full facts are known and emphasized the presumption of innocence.

A detention hearing is set for October 19 to decide whether Alfozan will remain in custody while the FBI investigation continues.