OpenAI accuses former worker of taking over 100 confidential hardware files to Apple

OpenAI has accused an unnamed former employee of taking more than 100 confidential files concerning unreleased hardware back to Apple. According to a court filing submitted on a Wednesday, the employee worked at OpenAI for a six-month stint between two separate roles at Apple and allegedly transferred the sensitive materials to personal accounts just after midnight in Singapore on June 2, his final day. [1][2]

The company alleges the compromised data included detailed images of an unreleased device, engineering specifications, supplier details, and cosmetic finish reports. OpenAI claims the worker went so far as to pitch its internal product roadmaps directly to senior Apple executives, including the vice president of operations in Asia. Apple countered that it maintains strict policies barring new hires from using previous employers' confidential data and stated it found no evidence supporting the claims. [1][2]

The allegation marks an escalation in an ongoing trade-secrets feud between the two tech giants. Apple initially sued OpenAI in July, claiming two former employees took engineering secrets to aid OpenAI's hardware ambitions. Now, as Apple rolls out devices like the AI-powered HomeView smart home display, OpenAI has asked the court for time to investigate and potentially pursue formal counterclaims against the iPhone maker. [1][2]