OpenAI engineer accused of planting recording device to stay in pre-trial detention

A COURT IN THE United States has granted a request by government prosecutors to prolong the pre-trial detention of Abdulrahman Alfozan, an OpenAI employee, who was arrested by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) on 9 October 2026. The 35-year-old Saudi national has been charged with attempting to use a recording device to intercept oral communications at the headquarters of OpenAI, where he worked. According to the FBI, Alfozan was attempting to “secretly capture sensitive communications about [OpenAI’s] super intelligence technology”.

Concerns about the engineer’s behavior reportedly started when OpenAI staff discovered a listening device wrapped in toilet paper on 30 September. This prompted an internal investigation, in which OpenAI analyzed the device using its own artificial intelligence (AI) models. The investigation concluded that the device had been installed on or around 28 September. It also determined that the device was highly sophisticated and included advanced encryption, audio monitoring capabilities, as well as a means of transferring intercepted data whilst evading monitoring. Following this discovery, the company referred the case to the FBI.

The affidavit states that Alfozan appears on footage captured on October 5 by a hidden close-circuit surveillance camera at the company’s San Francisco headquarters. The footage shows Alfozan entering a conference room, which he had no authority to access. He then appears to check a device plugged into a television inside the room. The affidavit adds that OpenAI executives frequently use the room for internal leadership meetings, often involving “highly confidential, technical, commercial and strategic information, including proprietary research, product plans, and business development opportunities”.

The complaint also alleges that, prior to installing the device’s, Alfozan used an AI productivity tool to inquire about OpenAI’s buildings, meeting rooms, calendars, and executive locations. It also alleges that a chatbot associated with Alfozan’s spouse—who has not been charged in connection with this case—submitted prompts about building and encrypting an audio recording device.

Alfozan had worked as an engineer at OpenAI for 15 months prior to his termination. According to Al Jazeera, Alfozan’s LinkedIn profile lists earlier roles at Meta and Microsoft. Court filings allege Alfozan had booked one-way flight tickets to Saudi Arabia for himself, his wife, and another relative, scheduled for 12 October. The Saudi national’s connections to the Gulf State’s ruling family are not explicitly known; however, he is allegedly listed as a partner at Raed Ventures, a venture capital firm based in Riyadh. Prince Khalid bin Bader al Saud, a member of the Saudi Royal family, is also a Raed Ventures partner. Read more of this post