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Saudi OpenAI engineer detained in U.S. over suspected covert eavesdropping
The U.S. Department of Justice said a recording device was found at one of OpenAI’s buildings in California and that Saudi national engineer Abdulrahman Alfuzan was detained on October 9. Another recording device was also found in Alfuzan’s bag, and his first hearing was held on October 13.
Saudi national OpenAI engineer Abdulrahman Alfuzan was detained on October 9 on suspicion of installing a covert recording device at one of the company’s buildings in California. The U.S. Department of Justice said the detention took place following an application by the company.
If convicted, Alfuzan could face up to five years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000 and three years of supervised release after his release.
Recording device found in conference room
Company employees found a recording device connected to a USB port behind the television in a conference room used by OpenAI executives. The device may have been placed in the room around September 28, and the files on it were encrypted.
Authorities said another recording device was found in Alfuzan’s bag. The first device had been wrapped in toilet paper.
Cameras showed Alfuzan in the room
OpenAI’s internal investigation found that Alfuzan, who started working as an engineer in July 2025, had been seen around the conference room several times before the device was found. Security cameras showed Alfuzan entering the room on October 5 and looking toward the area where the device was located.
Alfuzan is suspected of planning to record conversations containing confidential information. The first hearing in the case was held on October 13.
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