United States authorities have charged a Saudi national who worked as an engineer at OpenAI with planting a concealed listening device in the company’s conference rooms. The Department of Justice announced the arrest of Abdulrahman Alfozan, a 35-year-old employee who had worked at the artificial intelligence firm since July 2025.
Prosecutors allege that Alfozan used the device to illegally obtain sensitive information from confidential meetings. He made his first court appearance on Tuesday and faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a fine of $250,000. The charge involves using an electronic device to intercept oral communications.
Discovery of the Surveillance Device
A Justice Department complaint details how the device was discovered. The surveillance tool was concealed inside a roll of toilet paper and installed in a conference room around September 28. OpenAI security personnel found the device two days later on September 30.
Video surveillance from the company’s offices showed Alfozan appearing near the executive conference room on multiple dates before the discovery. Prosecutors noted that he had no authority to access the room or participate in its meetings. The company stated that these meetings were highly confidential.
Security staff also reportedly found a second listening device in Alfozan’s bag. OpenAI stated that it used its own AI models to analyze the device and trace its origin. The company identified the specific employee who planted the device a few days earlier and referred the matter to the FBI.
FBI Response and Company Statement
Kash Patel, the head of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, emphasized the importance of the case in a statement. He said that protecting American super intelligence innovation is essential to safeguarding the nation’s economic strength and national security. The FBI views this mission as one of its highest counterintelligence priorities.
OpenAI addressed the incident in a social media post. The company stated that it had no indications that the individual had accessed or exfiltrated model weights, source code, or customer data. The employee was terminated immediately after the discovery.
The incident highlights the intense competition in the artificial intelligence sector. Companies and countries are actively seeking an edge in the development of advanced AI systems. This case raises concerns about surveillance and underhanded efforts to gain proprietary information.
The FBI investigation is ongoing. OpenAI expressed gratitude to the agents and prosecutors who moved quickly to make the arrest. The company pledged to continue supporting the investigation as it proceeds.
Source: Al Jazeera
