A Saudi national and former OpenAI engineer, Abdulrahman Alfozan, has been charged in the United States over allegations that he secretly planted a recording device in the artificial intelligence company’s San Francisco office.

Federal prosecutors said Alfozan was charged with using or attempting to use an electronic, mechanical or other device to intercept oral communications.

According to the BBC, OpenAI discovered what it described as a “sophisticated recording device” hidden in its office and alerted the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

The company said it used its artificial intelligence models to investigate the device and identify an employee suspected of planting it.

Recording device allegedly hidden behind television

Prosecutors alleged that the device was concealed in toilet paper and inserted into a USB port on the back of a television in an executive conference room.

OpenAI employees reportedly discovered the device on September 30, two days after prosecutors said it had been installed.

The device was encrypted, according to the complaint.

FBI Director Kash Patel said the suspect allegedly concealed the recording equipment to capture sensitive communications within the company.

Patel added that the alleged objective was to obtain information about OpenAI’s AI products.

OpenAI said it had no indication that its source code, model weights or customer data had been improperly accessed or taken during the incident.

The company confirmed that the employee had been dismissed.

Prosecutors cite alleged AI chatbot searches

According to the FBI, Alfozan allegedly used a productivity tool and a chatbot to research sensitive locations within OpenAI and ways to install audio-recording equipment covertly.

The complaint cited alleged searches concerning the construction, installation, concealment and remote access of a recording device.

Prosecutors also alleged that he sought information about building a continuous audio recorder, configuring Wi-Fi connectivity, improving live audio monitoring and encrypting an SD card.

The allegations form part of the evidence prosecutors are relying on to establish the suspected plan to record confidential conversations.

CCTV footage and second device cited

Prosecutors said Alfozan returned to the conference room on October 5 to inspect the recording device. Investigators reportedly used CCTV footage to link him to the location.

On the same day, the suspect allegedly left a bag unattended in another part of the building.

OpenAI’s security team reportedly searched the bag and found his wallet, identification documents and another recording device similar to the one discovered in the conference room.

Alfozan appeared in court on Tuesday, October 13, 2026. The BBC reported that it was unclear whether he had legal representation at the time of publication.

Suspect faces possible prison term

If convicted, Alfozan faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison and a fine of $250,000, according to the report.

The case raises questions about workplace security and the protection of confidential communications within companies developing advanced artificial intelligence systems.

However, the allegations remain unproven, and the charge does not amount to a finding of guilt.