An OpenAI employee has been arrested by the FBI for placing a hidden, encrypted audio recording device in a company meeting room.
The device was discovered connected to a TV at the San Francisco office.
OpenAI confirmed the employee was identified through internal security footage and subsequently terminated, noting no evidence of source code or customer data exfiltration.
How the device was revealed
The company discovered the device about a week before the arrest, which took place on October 9, 2026. The device was plugged into a USB port on the back of a television in the conference room. Using security camera footage, OpenAI identified Alfozan as he was interacting with the specific spot on the television.
What we know about the device and the consequences
The device was designed for audio interception and had encryption. According to OpenAI's official statement, there is no indication that the incident led to a leak of the company's source code or customer data.
Alfozan faces charges of illegal wiretapping. If convicted, the law provides for a prison sentence of up to five years.
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