Ex-OpenAI Engineer Detained in Spy Device Case as Saudi Royal Contacts Emerge

A former OpenAI engineer, Abdulrahman Alfozan, has been detained by U.S. authorities after being accused of planting a recording device in an executive conference room at the company's San Francisco office. According to prosecutors, the 35-year-old Saudi national was in frequent contact with a member of the Saudi Royal Family via WhatsApp throughout 2025 and 2026.

On October 5, 2026, Alfozan communicated with the Saudi royal, who informed him that an AI initiative was being launched in Saudi Arabia and encouraged him to join. Alfozan agreed, stating "100."

The Saudi royal family member allegedly attempted to recruit Alfozan multiple times and asked about his plans to leave OpenAI. The defendant mentioned he wouldn't leave until his stock vested. Alfozan joined OpenAI in July 2025 with an annual base salary of $385,000.

In the weeks leading up to his arrest, Alfozan allegedly researched how to build a continuous audio recorder using his wife's personal ChatGPT account. He installed the device in a USB port on a television in the executive conference room to capture sensitive conversations. Alfozan used his engineering skills to create sophisticated recording devices, which he intended to bring to Saudi Arabia.

The U.S. government is investigating whether Alfozan's actions were motivated by personal gain or to assist a foreign government. If convicted, he could face up to five years in prison. Prosecutors argue that Alfozan is a flight risk, citing his ample resources and the foreign government's ability to provide extraordinary travel assistance.