OpenAI Alleges Former Employee Stole Confidential Files On Unreleased AI Device For Apple

ISTANBUL, Oct 15 – OpenAI has accused a former employee who returned to Apple of downloading over 100 highly confidential files related to an unreleased hardware device, according to a legal filing submitted on Wednesday, October 14, 2026.

According to a report by The Wall Street Journal, the court filing alleges that the stolen documents included proprietary engineering and manufacturing data, internal project files, and sensitive supplier details.

OpenAI claimed the former employee transferred several files to his personal account shortly after midnight on June 2, 2026—his final day of a six-month tenure at OpenAI—prior to rejoining Apple, where he had previously worked.

The filing further alleges that the employee presented OpenAI’s confidential product blueprints to senior Apple executives, including a Vice President of Operations in Asia. OpenAI asserted that this proprietary data may have assisted Apple in advancing its own lineup of AI-powered hardware, including smart home devices announced earlier this week.

Apple Rejects Claims and Counters With Trade Secret Allegations

Apple firmly rejected OpenAI’s legal claims and countered with accusations regarding proprietary theft:

• Denial of Wrongdoing: Apple stated that an internal review yielded no evidence to support OpenAI’s assertions regarding the stolen hardware documents.
• Lack of Cooperation: The Cupertino-based tech giant claimed OpenAI failed to respond to official requests for additional information needed to facilitate a comprehensive internal investigation.
• Counter-Accusations: Apple accused OpenAI of using the lawsuit to distract from evidence showing that former Apple employees who transitioned to OpenAI had taken Apple’s confidential trade secrets.

The legal battle highlights intensifying corporate competition and mounting legal friction between tech giants as they race to develop and deploy AI-driven consumer hardware.

–NMT