Saudi engineer arrested for planting listening device at OpenAI
The short version
A Saudi national was arrested by U.S. authorities for planting a listening device at OpenAI. The device was hidden in a conference room and could record audio and video.
A Saudi national was arrested by U.S. authorities for planting a listening device at OpenAI.9,5,4,2,1 The device was hidden in an executive conference room.9,8,7,3,2 It was wrapped in toilet paper.8,3
It was inserted in a USB port on the back of a TV.3 The device was thumb-sized, had a microphone and could connect to a camera.6 OpenAI discovered the device.8,2
The engineer was charged by the Department of Justice.6,5 The engineer's name is Abdulrahman Alfozan, 35.4,1 The arrest took place on Friday, 13 October 2026.1
“OpenAI says it discovered a hidden recording device in one of its offices, wrapped in toilet paper behind a television.”
“Prosecutors say the device, wrapped in toilet paper, was found inserted in a USB port on the back of a TV in an executive conference room.”
“The thumb-sized device had a microphone and could connect to a camera.”
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