Apple has initiated legal proceedings against OpenAI following claims that a former engineer exploited a bug to access confidential information after his termination. The lawsuit, filed on Friday, accuses OpenAI of benefiting from stolen trade secrets in a bid to rival Apple in the hardware sector.
Details of the Allegations
According to the lawsuit, the bug allowed Chang Liu, who transitioned from Apple to OpenAI in January 2026, to maintain access to Apple’s internal servers for several weeks. Apple asserts that Liu downloaded numerous confidential files related to unreleased products, technical specifications, and proprietary project data.
Apple’s complaint highlights a specific instance where Liu accessed a presentation on Apple’s advanced circuit boards, which the company claims is crucial for anyone developing competing hardware. The lawsuit claims, “over several weeks, while developing hardware for OpenAI, Mr. Liu surreptitiously accessed and downloaded dozens of Apple’s confidential hardware-related files.”
OpenAI's Response and Company Culture
In response to the allegations, an OpenAI spokesperson disputed the claims, stating, “We have no interest in other companies’ trade secrets.” OpenAI CEO Sam Altman also expressed respect for Apple, asserting that the company is not intimidated by the lawsuit.
Apple argues that the issue goes beyond Liu, claiming a broader pattern of theft involving more than 400 former Apple employees who now work at OpenAI. The lawsuit suggests that Apple’s former vice president of product design for the iPhone, Tang Yew Tan, is leading this alleged scheme.
The Broader Implications for Trade Secrets
Apple has long been concerned about trade secret theft, particularly in the competitive tech landscape. The company is urging the court to prevent OpenAI from profiting from the alleged theft of its proprietary information.
Apple’s complaint suggests that Tan has leveraged his insider knowledge to facilitate the poaching of Apple employees, encouraging them to disclose sensitive information during interviews. Tan allegedly created a checklist for departing employees to help them evade security measures, further complicating the situation.
- Allegations include:
- Unauthorized access to Apple’s network folders.
- Downloading confidential hardware-related files.
- Encouraging former employees to disclose proprietary information.
As the case unfolds, the discovery process is expected to shed light on the alleged patterns of behavior among OpenAI employees who previously worked at Apple. This lawsuit could have significant implications for both companies in the tech industry.
🤖 This article was rewritten by Feed and Figures' editorial AI from a report originally published by Ars Technica. Facts and quotes are preserved from the original; the rewrite focuses on clarity and structure. For the unedited original, see the source link below.
