A Saudi national employed as an engineer at OpenAI has been arrested and charged after federal prosecutors say he planted a hidden audio recording device in the company’s executive conference room in San Francisco.
Abdulrahman Alfozan, 35, had worked as an engineer for OpenAI since July 2025. He was arrested Friday and charged with using or endeavoring to use an electronic, mechanical, or other device to intercept oral communications.
According to the federal complaint, OpenAI personnel discovered the device, identified as “Recording Device 1,” during a security sweep on September 30. It had been inserted into a USB port on the back of a television inside an executive conference room and was concealed in toilet paper. Investigators determined the device was installed on or about September 28 and that its contents were encrypted.
The room in question was used by senior OpenAI executives to discuss company research, product planning, and other confidential matters. Prosecutors say Alfozan was not authorized to be in the room at all, let alone place recording equipment inside it.
Before the device was found, prosecutors say Alfozan searched OpenAI’s internal systems for information on conference rooms, calendars, executive meetings, and building locations. A second recording device was later discovered in a bag Alfozan allegedly left behind at the OpenAI offices. He was also caught on the company’s CCTV cameras.
OpenAI says it contacted the FBI immediately after discovering the device and credited federal agents with making a quick arrest.
Federal prosecutors have not accused Alfozan of acting on behalf of the Saudi government or any other foreign power. But U.S. Attorney Craig Missakian underscored the weight the government is placing on the case.
“For us it is a matter of national security,” Missakian said.
Alfozan made his first appearance in federal court on Tuesday. He was ordered held in custody pending a detention hearing scheduled for October 19.
