OpenAI Accuses Ex-Employee of Leaking 100+ Secret Files to Apple

OpenAI submitted a court filing on Wednesday alleging that a former employee transferred more than 100 confidential files back to Apple. The ChatGPT maker claims the individual, who had previously worked at the iPhone maker, moved sensitive hardware plans to personal accounts before leaving the company.

According to the filing, the unnamed employee joined OpenAI from Apple and returned to Cupertino just six months later. The company alleges the worker transferred detailed images of at least one unreleased device, along with engineering and manufacturing data. Supplier information, project files, and specifications for cosmetic finishes were also reportedly included in the transfer.

Timeline and Allegations

The filing states that some of the data transfers occurred just after midnight in Singapore on June 2. OpenAI identifies this date as the employee’s final day at the company. The documents reportedly contained reports on coating and sealing hardware components, suggesting a deep dive into the physical construction of the devices.

OpenAI claims the information did not remain in a personal inbox. The filing alleges the former employee presented OpenAI’s product plans to Apple’s senior leadership. This presentation reportedly included a briefing for Apple’s vice president of operations in Asia, indicating high-level exposure of the confidential materials.

Context and Background

OpenAI expressed concern that its trade secrets are now circulating inside Apple, where engineers could shape upcoming products based on the company’s work. The AI firm points to Apple’s recent push into AI-powered hardware, including newly announced smart home products, as a cause for alarm. This filing marks a reversal in the ongoing legal dispute, as Apple had previously accused OpenAI of stealing its secrets.

Apple says it has not found anything to support OpenAI’s claims. The iPhone maker insists it has strict rules to stop staff from bringing former employers’ secrets into the company. This latest development follows earlier reports, as Threat Times noted on October 14, that OpenAI claimed an ex-employee leaked device files to Apple.

What should you do?

Security professionals should monitor court filings for details on data handling practices. Organizations should review policies regarding employee departures and data access. Legal teams should assess the risks of trade secret exposure in competitive industries. Companies should ensure their own safeguards against data leakage are robust and regularly tested.

What to do and how to stay safe: OpenAI

• Review employee offboarding procedures to ensure all access credentials are revoked immediately upon departure.
• Audit data transfer logs for unusual activity, especially large file uploads to personal accounts near resignation dates.
• Implement strict data loss prevention tools to block the unauthorized transfer of confidential engineering and design files.
• Conduct regular training for staff on trade secret protection and the legal implications of mishandling proprietary information.

Step-by-step guide: Prompt Injection Warning Signs: How to Spot AI Manipulation

General security guidance from the Threat Times newsroom. It is not confirmed advice from the organisations named in this story.

Frequently asked questions

What specific files does OpenAI claim were leaked?

OpenAI claims the former employee transferred detailed images of unreleased devices, engineering data, supplier information, and manufacturing specifications.

When did the alleged data transfers take place?

According to the filing, some transfers occurred just after midnight in Singapore on June 2, which was the employee's final day.

How has Apple responded to these allegations?

Apple says it has not found evidence to support the claims and maintains it has rules to prevent staff from using former employers' secrets.