FBI says OpenAI engineer hid recording device in toilet paper in restricted meeting room
The FBI arrested Abdulrahman Alfozan, an OpenAI engineer, after a recording device hidden in toilet paper was found in a restricted executive conference room. The FBI alleges he tried to spy on OpenAI and risked leaking trade secrets that threatened national security.
The room was used by OpenAI leadership to discuss highly confidential information, including technical progress, government engagements and commercial partnerships. Only people with special clearance were supposed to access it.
In a press release Tuesday announcing his arrest, the FBI alleged that chatbot logs and CCTV footage suggested Alfozan sought to use the device to spy on OpenAI and risked leaking trade secrets in a way that threatened national security. To conceal the USB device, Alfozan allegedly wrapped it in toilet paper and then plugged it into the back of a conference room television.
The device was likely planted on September 28, and OpenAI found it on September 30, the FBI said. OpenAI quickly determined that its contents were encrypted. Days later, on October 5, OpenAI installed a camera in that conference room, and the CCTV footage allegedly showed Alfozan attempting to retrieve the recording device that same day.
It took OpenAI two days to notice the device, Ars Technica reported. The FBI's allegations rest on chatbot logs and CCTV footage, and the report said the device was found in a room reserved for leadership meetings about confidential matters.