OpenAI engineer faces secret recording charge

A Saudi engineer employed by OpenAI has been charged with allegedly attempting to secretly record conversations inside the company’s San Francisco offices, raising concerns over security at major artificial intelligence developers.

Abdulrahman Alfozan, 35, was arrested by the FBI after OpenAI security personnel discovered a thumb-sized recording device hidden behind a television in an executive conference room on 30 September, according to federal court documents cited by The New York Times.

Prosecutors alleged that surveillance footage later showed Alfozan checking behind the television on 5 October. Security personnel also found another recording device inside a bag he reportedly left in a printer room.

The conference room was used for executive meetings and briefings with government officials.

Court documents also alleged that an AI account linked to Alfozan’s wife had been used to research methods of building and concealing recording equipment.

Separately, Alfozan reportedly disclosed in an Arabic podcast interview that he belonged to a network of Saudi technology professionals who advised organizations in the kingdom.

He was also listed as a venture partner at Riyadh-based RAED Ventures, alongside Saudi royal family member Prince Khalid bin Bader Al Saud.

Alfozan previously worked at Meta before joining OpenAI in July 2025.

OpenAI said its investigation found no indication that he had improperly accessed or extracted sensitive company technology or customer information.

His lawyer, William Pernik, disputed the allegations and said the defense would contest the case.