US Justice Department charges an OpenAI engineer over a hidden audio recording device

15 October 2026

The United States Department of Justice has charged Abdulrahman Alfozan, a 35-year-old engineer who joined OpenAI in July 2025, over a hidden audio recording device installed in an executive conference room at the company's San Francisco office. He is charged with using or endeavouring to use an electronic, mechanical or other device to intercept oral communications. The device was discovered on 30 September, plugged into a USB port on a television, and was installed on or about 28 September. The charge carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine, along with three years of supervised release. Alfozan is a Saudi national and has been a United States legal permanent resident since September 2020. The Federal Bureau of Investigation is investigating the case and its Director, Kash Patel, issued a statement.