FBI arrests Saudi national over planting recording device at OpenAI office
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The FBI has arrested former OpenAI (OPENAI) engineer Abdulrahman Alfozan, 35, a Saudi national, over allegations that he planted a hidden audio recording device in a conference room at the artificial intelligence company’s San Francisco office, the U.S. Department of Justice said Tuesday.
OpenAI (OPENAI) discovered the device on September 30, concealed in toilet paper and plugged into a USB port on the back of a television. Investigators allege it was installed around September 28 and contained encrypted data. A second similar device was later found in Alfozan’s bag.
OpenAI (OPENAI) investigated the device, identified the employee it suspected was responsible, and terminated him before referring the matter to the FBI.
“At this time, we have no indications of this individual inappropriately accessing or exfiltrating model weights, source code, or customer data. The employee was terminated.” OpenAI (OPENAI) said.
Alfozan was arrested on October 9 and made his initial federal court appearance on October 13. If convicted, he faces up to five years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release.
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