# FBI arrests OpenAI engineer over hidden recording device

> A 35-year-old Saudi national employed at OpenAI was arrested after planting a sophisticated listening device in a company conference room.
- Title: FBI arrests OpenAI engineer over hidden recording device
- Summary: A 35-year-old Saudi national employed at OpenAI was arrested after planting a sophisticated listening device in a company conference room. OpenAI engineer…
- Keywords: abdulrahman alfozan, openai, f b i, recording device, espionage, intellectual property theft, san francisco, FBI, arrests, engineer, hidden, recording
- Source: Fastcompany — https://fastcompany.com/91623503/fbi-arrests-investigates-openai-engineer-over-sophisticated-listening-device
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: abdulrahman alfozan, openai, f b i, recording device, espionage, intellectual property theft, san francisco
## Engineer arrested at OpenAI
Abdulrahman Alfozan, a thirty five year old Saudi national working at OpenAI, was arrested Friday after the company discovered a sophisticated recording device hidden inside a conference room.
## Device found concealed in toilet paper
The recording device was discovered September thirty concealed in toilet paper and inserted into a U S B port on the back of a television in an executive conference room.
## OpenAI confirms the discovery
OpenAI said it discovered a sophisticated recording device hidden inside one of its offices, reported the finding to the F B I and fired the employee responsible.
## Device designed to evade detection
The company said the device was sophisticated, designed to evade detection and featured advanced encryption and audio monitoring capabilities.
## Evidence of broader surveillance plan
OpenAI said it had evidence Alfozan planned to place other listening devices throughout other parts of the office building for the purpose of recording meetings.
## No data theft detected
OpenAI stated it has no indications Alfozan inappropriately accessed or exfiltrated model weights, source code or customer data.
## Attorney General calls it national security threat
Attorney General Todd Blanche said the alleged attempt by a Saudi national to steal sensitive communications from OpenAI posed a serious threat to national security.

> Theft of intellectual property involving cutting-edge super intelligence technology poses a serious threat to our national security.
## Surveillance footage shows repeated access
Closed circuit television footage revealed Alfozan was near the conference room on nearly a dozen occasions last month despite having no authority to access the space.
## Camera captures him checking the device
After OpenAI added a camera to the room, it captured Alfozan entering and checking behind the television where the recording device had been installed.
## Suspicious queries about building layout
The complaint alleges Alfozan used a productivity tool to make multiple inquiries about the company's building addresses, meeting rooms, capacities and calendars.
## Second device found in abandoned bag
Days before his arrest, Alfozan left an unattended bag in a different room containing his wallet, identification and another recording device similar to the one in the conference room.
## First court appearance Tuesday
Alfozan made his first court appearance Tuesday on a charge of using or endeavoring to use an electronic device to intercept oral communications.
## Next hearing scheduled for October nineteen
Alfozan is due back in court on October nineteen. It was not immediately clear if he had a lawyer who could speak on his behalf.
## Key takeaway

OpenAI engineer Abdulrahman Alfozan was arrested Friday after the company discovered a sophisticated recording device hidden in a conference room, which he allegedly planted to capture sensitive conversations about the company's technology.