The U.S. Department of Justice announced the arrest of OpenAI engineer Abdulrahman Alfozan on a charge related to attempting to intercept oral communications. According to the criminal complaint, OpenAI personnel discovered an encrypted audio-recording device inserted into a USB port on a television in an executive conference room on September 30, 2026. The device was allegedly concealed in toilet paper and installed around September 28.
The complaint says office CCTV showed Alfozan near the room on multiple dates, and describes inquiries about building locations, meeting rooms, and leadership meetings, as well as chatbot prompts about building and remotely accessing a recording device. A complaint contains allegations; it is not a determination of guilt.