The FBI has arrested a Saudi national employed by OpenAI over allegations that he planted a recording device inside the company’s San Francisco office. US federal prosecutors said Abdulrahman Alfozan, a 35-year-old engineer, was arrested on October 9. The investigation began after OpenAI’s security team discovered a sophisticated recording device hidden inside an office television. The company referred the matter to the FBI, according to statements reported by France 24.
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Alfozan allegedly concealed a USB device inside a television in an executive conference room. The US Justice Department said surveillance footage showed him near the room several times. Investigators also alleged that he used a productivity tool to search for information about office buildings, meeting rooms, schedules and employees’ locations. A chatbot account linked to his spouse reportedly contained queries about remote audio recording and memory card encryption.
OpenAI said its security team discovered the device late last month and subsequently alerted federal investigators. Authorities also reportedly found a second device while searching an unattended bag belonging to Alfozan. However, prosecutors have not established publicly what information the devices may have captured. OpenAI said it had no indication that Alfozan improperly accessed or extracted model weights, source code or customer data.
The case comes amid intensifying global competition in artificial intelligence and growing concerns about protecting sensitive technology. US intelligence officials highlighted the importance of safeguarding American intellectual property against foreign threats. Saudi Arabia remains a close US ally and has invested heavily in artificial intelligence development.
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Prosecutors charged Alfozan with allegedly using or attempting to use an electronic device to intercept oral communications. The charge carries a potential maximum sentence of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. He is expected to appear at a federal court hearing on October 19. The allegations remain unproven, and the case highlights growing security concerns surrounding confidential meetings and sensitive information at major technology companies.