Saudi OpenAI engineer accused of hiding recording devices near confidential meetings
by ALEXX ALTMAN-DEVILBISS | The National News Desk
Wed, October 14th 2026 at 10:24 AM
Abdulrahman Alfozan appeared to look behind television where recording device 1 was installed (DOJ)
(TNND) — A Saudi national who worked as an engineer at OpenAI was arrested after prosecutors accused him of hiding a recording device in a conference room used by the company’s executives.
Abdulrahman Alfozan, 35, was charged with trying to secretly record private conversations, according to the Justice Department. He was arrested Oct. 9 and appeared in federal court on Oct. 13.
FBI Director Kash Patel said in a post on X that Alfozan allegedly concealed the device to “secretly capture sensitive communications about the company’s super intelligence tech.” Patel said the investigation is ongoing and described protecting American Super Intelligence innovation as one of the FBI’s highest counterintelligence priorities.
OpenAI employees found the device on Sept. 30, plugged into a USB port behind a television and concealed in toilet paper, prosecutors said. The room was often used for discussions of confidential research, product plans, business opportunities and the company’s strategy.
The complaint also states Alfozan had searched for information about OpenAI’s buildings, meeting rooms and leadership schedules. A chatbot account associated with his spouse allegedly asked questions about building and concealing an audio recorder. The release does not say whether the device captured any conversations or whether recordings were shared.
Prosecutors further allege that security footage showed Alfozan looking behind the television on Oct. 5. That day, security staff found a second similar recording device in a bag he had left in another room.
“This serious situation underscores why winning the global super intelligence race is a national security prerogative — and why President Trump’s leadership in creating the Super Intelligence Force is so important,” the Director of National Intelligence Jay Clayton said.
Alfozan has been charged with using or trying to use a device to intercept private conversations. The allegations have not been proven in court. If convicted, he could face up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.