Abdulrahman Alfozan, a 35-year-old engineer and Saudi national employed by OpenAI since mid-2025, was arrested by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) on October 9 for allegedly planting concealed recording devices inside the company’s San Francisco offices. The arrest followed the discovery of a Chinese-made bug wrapped in toilet paper and placed in the back of a television in an executive conference room during a security sweep on September 30.
OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT, said it had found evidence suggesting Alfozan intended to deploy additional recording devices in sensitive areas to secretly capture internal meetings. The Department of Justice (DoJ) disclosed that a second recording device was located in Alfozan’s bag left in another office room. The DoJ also indicated that Alfozan had conducted research on where confidential meetings were held within the company.
According to prosecutors, a chatbot account connected to Alfozan’s spouse submitted prompts related to the specific recording device, including its unique address and queries about building a continuous audio recorder. OpenAI responded to the discovery by immediately restricting Alfozan’s access to its network and physical offices before terminating his employment on the same day as his arrest.
OpenAI emphasized that there is no indication customer data, source code, or the underlying "model weights" – critical elements that dictate how its AI systems operate – had been accessed or stolen. The company highlighted its comprehensive security program designed to guard against insider threats, cybercriminals, and nation-state actors, stressing that protecting its technology and personnel is “a matter of national importance.”
Alfozan was due to speak at a Stanford University event on October 8 but canceled shortly before it began. His arrest and dismissal have sent shockwaves through the Saudi tech community, where he was known as a talented and soft-spoken engineer who bridged Silicon Valley and the Gulf. Described by acquaintances as polite and somewhat aloof, Alfozan had garnered recognition as one of the few Saudi nationals working at a high-profile AI firm.
His background includes education in the United States at King Abdullah University for Science and Technology and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. After graduating, he held positions at Facebook and later co-founded a logistics startup before joining OpenAI. He was also known for his connections to Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund and his role as a venture partner at Riyadh-based Raed Ventures. He frequently engaged with Saudi tech influencers and officials, including hosting tours at OpenAI and participating in discussions alongside Saudi IT Minister Abdullah al-Swaha.
The FBI has not publicly stated a motive behind the alleged spying. However, if state involvement is confirmed, this would be the second prominent intelligence case involving Saudi nationals in recent years after two former Twitter employees were charged with spying for Saudi Arabia. Those individuals allegedly shared user data on dissidents and critics with Saudi authorities— a case that heightened concerns over foreign espionage within U.S. tech companies.
Security experts and U.S. intelligence officials have underscored the incident’s significance amid the global race to develop advanced artificial intelligence. Jay Clayton, director of national intelligence, described the case as a reminder of the “national security prerogative” to lead in AI development. Similarly, FBI Director Kash Patel highlighted the importance of protecting U.S. technological innovation for economic and national security.
Alfozan appeared in federal court in San Francisco on October 10 and is scheduled for a detention hearing next week. His lawyer has not commented publicly on the allegations. OpenAI coordinated with law enforcement throughout the investigation to minimize disruption and ensure a thorough inquiry.