Ex-OpenAI Engineer Charged With Bugging Office Allegedly Had Saudi Backing, Say US Prosecutors
US prosecutors say a former OpenAI engineer accused of planting a recording device at the company's headquarters appears to have had support from the Saudi government. The claim comes from a newly public court filing. What the filing alleges Abdulrahman Alfozan, 35, is accused of installing a covert recording device in an executive conference room at OpenAI's San Francisco office. Prosecutors say…
A former OpenAI engineer, Abdulrahman Alfozan, has been charged with placing a recording device in an executive conference room at the company's San Francisco office, according to US prosecutors. The accusation is based on a newly released court filing. Alfozan, 35, allegedly constructed encrypted devices to covertly record sensitive meetings involving senior staff, executives, business partners, and government officials.
The filing reveals that Alfozan was in regular contact with a Saudi royal family member and had plans to visit Riyadh, with his family intending to permanently relocate there. After his arrest, a Saudi military official reportedly paid for a one-way ticket for his wife and son. US prosecutors are seeking to hold Alfozan in custody until trial, citing a flight risk.
His lawyer argues that Alfozan has lived in the US for 15 years and applied for citizenship, and contends that the planned trip was for family and immigration reasons. Alfozan faces up to five years in prison if convicted of using an electronic device to intercept oral communications. The investigation into the matter is ongoing, with potential additional charges pending.
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