Abdulrahman Alfozan OpenAI bugging case
A Saudi national and former OpenAI engineer, Abdulrahman Alfozan, is accused by US federal prosecutors of planting a recording device in an OpenAI conference room. Prosecutors allege he was in frequent communication with a member of the Saudi royal family, had Saudi backing, and had planned to fly to Saudi Arabia.
Last known state
US prosecutors have charged former OpenAI engineer Abdulrahman Alfozan with planting a recording device in an OpenAI executive conference room, and new court filings allege he had Saudi backing, was in frequent contact with an unnamed member of the Saudi royal family, and was days away from flying to Saudi Arabia before his arrest.
6 sources · 6 reports · Last updated 19 Oct 2026
Latest development
Prosecutors newly allege former OpenAI engineer Abdulrahman Alfozan was days away from flying to Saudi Arabia before his arrest, while his intended use of the recordings remains unknown.
Developments
- Key development
Prosecutors alleged in a court filing that the defendant had Saudi support and was in frequent contact with an unnamed member of the Saudi royal family.
- Key development
Prosecutors alleged the defendant was mere days away from flying to Saudi Arabia before his arrest.
- Earlier development
A recording device wrapped in toilet paper was found inserted in a USB port on the back of a TV in an OpenAI executive conference room, and Alfozan was charged with planting it.
Earlier coverage
- Ex-OpenAI worker accused of bugging conference room planned to fly to Saudi Arabia, prosecutors say Prosecutors have not said what Abdulrahman Alfozan, a 35-year-old Saudi national, might have wanted to do with the recordings, but say he was in "frequent communication" with a member of the Saudi royal family.
- Ex-OpenAI employee accused of planting device has Saudi backing: Prosecutor US federal prosecutors allege the defendant was in frequent contact with unnamed member of royal family.
- OpenAI employee accused of planting recording device in office A Saudi national who worked at OpenAI as an engineer is suspected of planting a recording device in one of the company's conference rooms.