OpenAI Accuses Former Employee of Taking Confidential Device Files to Apple

OpenAI has filed a new allegation in its ongoing legal dispute with Apple, claiming that a former employee transferred more than 100 confidential files about an unreleased OpenAI device before leaving the company to join Apple. According to a court filing reported on October 14, 2026, the employee allegedly sent the materials to personal accounts on June 2, which OpenAI identified as the employee’s final day at the company. The files reportedly included images of an unreleased device, engineering and manufacturing information, supplier details, project documents and reports concerning the finishing and sealing of hardware components. OpenAI argues that the transfer raises concerns about whether its confidential product-development information could now be available to engineers working at Apple.

The allegations extend beyond the alleged transfer of files. OpenAI claims that the former employee subsequently presented information about its product plans to senior Apple executives, including the company’s vice president of operations in Asia. The presentation allegedly took place months before the latest court filing. OpenAI argues that access to its confidential engineering and manufacturing information could provide Apple with insights into products it has been developing for the emerging AI hardware market. However, the allegations have not been established as facts in court, and the public reporting does not independently confirm that Apple used any of the information to develop its own products.

Apple has rejected the suggestion that the allegations demonstrate wrongdoing by the company. According to Reuters, Apple said it has policies and procedures designed to ensure that new employees do not use confidential information belonging to their previous employers. The company also said it had found no evidence supporting OpenAI’s allegations. This response sets up a significant disagreement over what happened to the files and whether any confidential information was subsequently accessed or used. The distinction is important because the alleged transfer of documents, their presentation to executives and any potential use in product development are separate issues that would need to be assessed through evidence and legal proceedings.

The latest filing is part of a wider trade secrets battle that began when Apple accused former employees of taking confidential information to OpenAI’s hardware division. Apple has argued that information from its product-development operations may have been improperly transferred to the AI company as it expands into consumer hardware. OpenAI has denied Apple’s allegations, describing the lawsuit as unfounded and disputing claims that it obtained or used Apple’s trade secrets. The dispute has become increasingly important as both companies compete to develop AI-powered devices and integrate artificial intelligence into consumer technology. The involvement of former employees from both organisations has placed greater attention on how technology companies protect confidential information when experienced engineers and designers move between competitors.

The case highlights the growing commercial value of hardware designs, supplier relationships, manufacturing specifications and engineering processes in the artificial intelligence industry. As companies develop new AI devices, confidential product information can reveal not only a device’s appearance but also how it is engineered, manufactured and brought to market. The legal proceedings may therefore have implications for employee confidentiality agreements, digital security controls and the handling of company files during staff departures. For now, OpenAI is seeking to address what it describes as a potential misuse of its proprietary information, while Apple maintains that it has found no evidence supporting the allegations. The outcome will depend on the evidence presented to the court, and neither company’s claims should be treated as a final legal finding.