OpenAI Employee Arrested for Planting Recording Device
An OpenAI engineer has been arrested on charges of secretly placing a recording device in a company conference room. The Justice Department announced the arrest on October 13, 2026.
Abdulrahman Alfozan, a 35-year-old Saudi national, was detained on Friday. He appeared in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California on Tuesday. The charges include attempting to use an electronic or mechanical device to intercept oral communications.
Alfozan began working at OpenAI as an engineer in July 2025. On September 30, employees discovered the recording device attached to a USB port on a television in an executive conference room. It was concealed in toilet paper and installed two days prior to its discovery. This room was frequently used for discussions involving confidential and proprietary OpenAI matters such as research and business development.
OpenAI stated that it contacted the FBI upon finding the device and has terminated Alfozan’s employment. The company emphasized its commitment to safeguarding technology, data, and personnel. They noted their security program aims to protect against insider threats and cybercriminals, highlighting the role of AI in combating these security risks.
FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed the arrest on social media, noting that the investigation continues. The criminal complaint revealed Alfozan used a productivity tool to gather information about company addresses, conference rooms, and meeting details. Additionally, evidence showed a chatbot account linked to Alfozan’s spouse was used to inquire about building and controlling audio recording devices.
Alfozan reportedly entered the conference room on October 5 and inspected the area where the device was hidden. On the same day, security personnel found another recording device similar to the one in the conference room in his unattended bag.
Alfozan is scheduled to return to federal court on October 19 for a detention hearing. CBS News has reached out to Alfozan’s lawyer for comment.