US court keeps ex-OpenAI engineer detained on alleged spying
Original title: Accused OpenAI spy had folder called “Saudi Gov Docs,” FBI says
Prosecutors say he planted recording devices and had a Saudi-paid one-way ticket to Riyadh.
A US magistrate ordered former OpenAI engineer Abdulrahman Alfozan to remain detained while facing allegations that he planted covert recording devices at OpenAI, including in a room used for meetings with US government officials. Prosecutors say FBI searches found device photos and a phone folder labeled “Saudi Gov Docs,” and that he had booked a one-way family flight to Riyadh allegedly paid for by the Saudi government. The government argues he may have acted for personal gain or for Saudi Arabia and is a flight risk. He has not been convicted.
Unconfirmed: The spying allegations, including any benefit to Saudi Arabia, are government claims and have not been proven at trial.
- Magistrate Judge Alex G. Tse granted continued detention on Monday.
- OpenAI allegedly hired him around July 2025 at a $325,000 base salary.
- Prosecutors say a bug was present for at least multiple days.
- His wife and son later left on another one-way ticket booked by a Saudi military member, the filing says.
- ATT&CK
- T1123 Audio Capture
- Vendors
- OpenAI
- Victims
- OpenAI
- Organizations
- FBI
- Countries
- United StatesSaudi Arabia
From the original article
6 min read at arstechnica.com
US fears Saudi government will help ex-OpenAI engineer flee spying charges.
By Ashley Belanger · arstechnica.com
A short excerpt; the article and its images belong to the publisher. Summary, key facts and assessment above are AI-written from the article and can be wrong.