OpenAI Alleges Ex-Employee Took Over 100 Confidential Hardware Files Back to Apple

OpenAI alleges that a former employee transferred more than 100 confidential files about unreleased hardware to personal accounts before returning to Apple after six months at OpenAI. The allegedly taken material includes device images, engineering and manufacturing data, supplier information, and component specifications and reports. OpenAI also claims the employee presented its product plans to senior Apple leadership. Apple rejects the allegations, and OpenAI has not demonstrated that Apple received or used the files.

The accusations emerged in OpenAI’s response to Apple’s existing trade-secret lawsuit, which alleges that former Apple executives took proprietary information to OpenAI and solicited further secrets from Apple employees. OpenAI denies those allegations and has requested time to investigate potential counterclaims but has not filed any. U.S. District Judge Edward Davila indicated he was highly likely to grant Apple a preliminary injunction and ordered OpenAI to produce documents concerning the allegedly stolen Apple data, while signaling that Apple’s proposed inspection of devices and repositories was overly broad. Neither side’s reported theft allegations constitute established findings.