A recorder was hidden in the OpenAI high-level conference room! The nationality of the employees involved in the case was exposed, and the FBI intervened in the investigation

OpenAI employee Alfozan, a Saudi Arabian citizen, was accused of secretly recording sensitive communications related to OpenAI technology and has been fired. (Picture taken from the official website of the U.S. Department of Justice)

Alfozan installed a recording device in the conference room. (Picture taken from the official website of the U.S. Department of Justice)

[Financial Channel/Comprehensive Report] The latest indictment released by the U.S. Department of Justice pointed out that Abdulrahman, an employee of the U.S. artificial intelligence company OpenAI, Alfozan was arrested last Friday (9th) for allegedly installing a "sophisticated recording device" in the company's senior executive conference room, and appeared in federal court for the first time on Tuesday (13th). Alfozan, 35, a Saudi citizen, was accused of secretly recording sensitive communications related to OpenAI technology. OpenAI said it had fired Alfzan.

The U.S. Department of Justice pointed out that OpenAI employees discovered on September 30 that a hidden recording device was inserted into the back of a television in a senior executive conference room, wrapped in toilet paper, and the data in the device was encrypted.

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After reviewing the monitor footage, it was discovered that Alfzan had appeared near the conference room many times in the days before the recording device was discovered; on October 5, he even entered the conference room directly.

Alfzan, who has been employed by OpenAI as an engineer since July 2025, was not allowed into the senior executive conference room where the recording device was discovered.

Around October 5, a bag belonging to Alfzan was also found in the OpenAI building. Security personnel found his wallet, ID, and another recording device inside the bag. The device is similar to the one hidden in executive conference rooms.

In addition, the Justice Department investigation found that a chatbot account associated with Alfozan's spouse was used to query continuous recording and Wi-Fi related information. The Justice Department noted that this account shared multiple identifying information and characteristics with Alfzan’s own chatbot account.

The relevant account has entered multiple prompt words, and the inquiry covers how to make, customize and install the device, as well as how to record, test, conceal and remotely access.

FBI Director Kash Patel said in a statement that Alfzan allegedly hid a secret recording device in his employer's executive conference room to secretly record sensitive conversations related to OpenAI's superintelligence (SI) technology. The FBI is currently involved in investigating the case.

OpenAI said there is currently no indication that the employee improperly accessed or stole model weights, source code or customer data. OpenAI emphasized: "We take the security protection of technology, data and personnel seriously and regard this responsibility as an important matter of national interest." Alfzan has been fired.

If convicted, Alfzan faces up to five years in prison and a fine of US$250,000 (approximately NT$7.96 million), plus three years of post-prison supervision (Supervised Release).

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