OpenAI Employee Charged After Recording Device Found

OpenAI employee Abdulrahman Alfozan was arrested and charged with using or attempting to use a device to intercept oral communications after investigators found a concealed recording device in an executive conference room. The allegations have not been tested in court, and the FBI investigation is ongoing. The Justice Department says Alfozan, 35, was arrested October 9 and appeared in federal court October 13. Prosecutors allege he concealed a device in toilet paper and plugged it into a USB port behind a television at an OpenAI office in San Francisco. The criminal complaint says investigators believe it was installed around September 28 and that employees found it during a security sweep on September 30. According to prosecutors, the room was used for discussions of confidential company matters, including research and product plans. The complaint alleges Alfozan was seen near the room before the device was discovered, despite lacking authorization to enter or attend meetings there. It also alleges that on October 5 he entered the room and appeared to look behind the television.