Artificial Intelligence

OpenAI Discovers Hidden Recording Device in San Francisco Office

US federal prosecutors have arrested and charged an engineer who allegedly planted a sophisticated recording device inside OpenAI's San Francisco headquarters.

Radwan AbdulhadiEditor and technology writer

Published: October 14, 2026 · Updated: October 14, 2026 · 3 min read

OpenAI Discovers Hidden Recording Device in San Francisco Office — Image: Engadget

Federal Arrest Following Office Discovery

US federal prosecutors have arrested and charged a Saudi national with allegedly hiding a sophisticated recording device inside of OpenAI's San Francisco headquarters. As detailed in a report by the [San Francisco Standard](https://sfstandard.com/2026/10/13/openai-engineer-arrested-alleged-bugging-executive-conference-room/), 35-year-old engineer Abdulrahman Alfozan has been accused of attempting to record oral conversations between OpenAI employees. Alfozan had been with the company since July 2025 and allegedly left a DIY recording device inside an executive conference room he was not authorized to enter or use.

OpenAI Leverages AI Models in Investigation

According to details shared in a [statement published to X](https://x.com/OpenAINewsroom/status/2110095403198849132) on [October 13, 2026](https://x.com/OpenAINewsroom/status/2110095403198849132?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw), OpenAI stated that it used its own AI models to help understand the device and determine its origin. The company announced its findings, noting that the investigation successfully identified that a specific employee had planted the hardware a few days earlier. OpenAI promptly referred the matter to the FBI following the discovery.

Targeting Confidential Corporate Information

Information obtained by the San Francisco Standard through court complaints indicates that meetings inside the compromised conference room frequently dealt with confidential matters. This included sensitive details surrounding OpenAI's product roadmap, internal research initiatives, and government engagement efforts. OpenAI discovered the device on September 30, when it was found plugged directly into a USB port located on the back of a television set.

The iOS icons for ChatGPT and Grok sit on an iPhone. — Image related to the report from Engadget · Source: Engadget

Concealment Methods and Chatbot Prompts

Investigators reported that Alfozan appeared to have used toilet paper to help conceal the recording equipment. Prosecutors claim he utilized a productivity tool to gather facility information, alongside utilizing a chatbot account linked to his spouse. On that chatbot account, investigators allegedly uncovered prompts asking how to build a continuous audio recorder and encrypt the associated SD card.

Company Security Response and Termination

Reporting from [Engadget](https://www.engadget.com/2286084/openai-says-it-found-a-sophisticated-recording-device-hidden-in-offices/) highlights that OpenAI quickly terminated the employee following the internal findings. In its public statement, the company noted there were no current indications that the individual inappropriately accessed or exfiltrated model weights, source code, or customer data.

Second Bag Discovery and Potential Penalties

OpenAI determined the initial device was installed around September 28. On October 5, Alfozan allegedly left behind a bag elsewhere in the office, which security personnel inspected. The bag contained his wallet, personal identification, and a second recording device. Alfozan made his initial court appearance on Tuesday and faces up to five years in federal prison, a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release if convicted.