Toilet paper, recording devices and spy suspicions: Inside the OpenAI case that has rattled America

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has updated the public on the case involving a spy device discovered at OpenAI's San Francisco offices. The agency announced the arrest of Abdulrahman Alfozan, a Saudi national, on October 9. Alfozan, a 35-year-old OpenAI engineer, has been charged with using an electronic device to intercept communications.

According to the FBI, Alfozan concealed a covert recording device inside an executive conference room at OpenAI's San Francisco office, likely between September 28 and 30. The device was found concealed in toilet paper and connected to a USB port on a television in the conference room. Closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage showed Alfozan near the conference room on multiple occasions prior to the device's discovery, though he had no authorization to access or participate in those meetings.

These meetings often discussed highly sensitive technical, commercial, and strategic information. Prior to September 28, Alfozan had also inquired about OpenAI's building addresses, meeting rooms, and calendars using a productivity tool. Additionally, a chatbot associated with Alfozan's spouse submitted prompts related to building, customizing, installing, and remotely accessing the recording device from September 24 to 30.

If convicted, Alfozan could face up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine, followed by three years of supervised release.