US Government Detains Former OpenAI Engineer Over Spying Allegations

20 October 2026 3 min read هدهد تك | Hudhud Tech

The US government has successfully requested the detention of Abdulrahman Alfozan, a former OpenAI engineer accused of spying on the company. A court ruling on October 18 denied his release, citing concerns that he may flee to Saudi Arabia.

In a court filing, US attorney Craig Missakian argued that Alfozan must remain detained as the government builds its case against him. Alfozan is accused of secretly bugging a conference room at OpenAI to steal sensitive information.

Evidence presented by the government indicates that Alfozan had been communicating with a member of the Saudi royal family via WhatsApp while exploring opportunities to relocate to Saudi Arabia during the country’s significant AI initiatives. Just before his arrest, the FBI discovered that he had accessed a folder labeled “Saudi Gov Docs” on his iPhone, where he allegedly stored images of a second bug he had placed in the office.

Missakian claimed Alfozan poses a flight risk due to his connections with the Saudi government, which allegedly provided financial support for his escape plans. The government noted that Alfozan had booked a one-way flight for himself, his wife, and their child to Riyadh, reportedly funded by the Saudi government. Following his arrest, his family departed the US without him, with further travel arrangements made by a member of the Saudi military.

Alfozan, a Saudi national and US permanent resident, has substantial financial resources from his decade-long career in Silicon Valley, including a position at OpenAI that offered a base salary of $325,000 and a $2.2 million equity grant.

Allegations against him suggest that he began plotting against OpenAI shortly after his hiring in July 2025. OpenAI was preparing to grant him parental leave when a recording device was discovered in a conference room, which had been operational during a sensitive meeting with US government officials.

The US government asserts that Alfozan utilized an OpenAI productivity tool to identify vulnerable conference rooms for espionage. Additionally, it is claimed that he used his wife’s personal ChatGPT account to research modifications for his recording devices, enabling them to auto-record conversations.

After his arrest, Alfozan requested legal representation and declined to speak with the FBI. However, his wife confirmed that she had seen her ChatGPT account active on his laptop when discussing their plans to move back to Saudi Arabia.

Further investigation revealed that the FBI found additional recording devices in Alfozan’s home, along with evidence of other bugs he had planted. His iPhone contained WhatsApp logs indicating ongoing communication with a member of the Saudi royal family, dating back to 2025, which included messages urging him to return to Saudi Arabia.

On October 4, Alfozan accessed the “Saudi Gov Docs” folder, and while the contents remain undisclosed, it is believed he was assisting the Saudi government. The US government expressed concern over his activities, noting that he had inquired about potential OpenAI personnel who could attend high-level meetings in Saudi Arabia.

Despite facing a maximum sentence of five years for the illegal recordings, the government anticipates that more serious charges may arise as the investigation continues. Missakian emphasized the severity of the situation, stating that Alfozan’s actions could threaten national security.

The US government argued that Alfozan has every incentive to flee, especially given that his family is already in Saudi Arabia and he possesses the means to escape. His connections and resources could facilitate a new life in Saudi Arabia, raising significant concerns for US authorities.