From BBC News · · 1m 30s
Saudi OpenAI engineer charged with planting spy device
A Saudi national who worked as an engineer at OpenAI has been charged with secretly installing a recording device in the company's San Francisco office to capture sensitive communications.
In brief
A Saudi national who worked as an engineer at OpenAI has been charged with secretly installing a recording device in the company's San Francisco office to capture sensitive communications. Abdulrahman Alfozan, a Saudi engineer at OpenAI, has been charged with planting a hidden recording device in the company's San…
Engineer charged with planting recorder
Abdulrahman Alfozan, a Saudi national working as an engineer at OpenAI, has been charged federally with using an electronic device to intercept oral communications.
Device hidden in executive conference room
OpenAI discovered a sophisticated recording device wrapped in toilet paper inserted into a USB port on the back of a television in an executive conference room in San Francisco.
OpenAI used AI to identify the culprit
OpenAI employees discovered the device on September thirtieth, two days after prosecutors say it was installed. The company used its AI models to identify that a specific employee had planted it.
Suspect researched recording techniques online
According to the FBI, Alfozan used a chatbot to research how to build, customize and encrypt audio recording devices. Searches included building a continuous audio recorder and improving audio and live listening.
Second device found, faces five years in prison
On October fifth, prosecutors say Alfozan returned to inspect the device.That day he left a bag containing his wallet, ID and another similar recording device.
At a glance
Abdulrahman Alfozan, a Saudi engineer at OpenAI, has been charged with planting a hidden recording device in the company's San Francisco executive conference room to capture sensitive communications about AI products.
