FBI arrests OpenAI employee accused of hiding a recording device in an executive conference room

Federal prosecutors charged Abdulrahman Alfozan, 35, a Saudi national on OpenAI's product team, with using or attempting to use a device to intercept oral communications. OpenAI staff found the encrypted recorder around Sept. 30 plugged into the back of a TV in an executive conference room and wrapped in toilet paper; a second, similar device later turned up in a bag holding his wallet and ID. OpenAI says it used its own models to trace the device to him, fired him, and has no indication he accessed model weights, source code or customer data. He was arrested Friday and remains in custody.