OpenAI has accused a former employee of sending more than 100 confidential files about an unreleased device to personal accounts on his final day at the company, before returning to Apple. The AI giant alleges the files contained sensitive engineering and manufacturing secrets, but Apple says its internal review found no evidence to support the claims.
According to a court filing dated 14 October, the alleged transfer took place on 2 June 2026. OpenAI also claims the former employee presented its product plans to Apple's senior leadership, including the vice president of operations in Asia, escalating a bitter trade-secrets battle between the tech giants.
Apple and OpenAI's Trade Secrets Battle Escalates
The latest allegations add a new twist to a legal dispute that began in July, when Apple sued OpenAI and former Apple employees over claims that confidential information had been taken to help the AI firm's hardware ambitions. OpenAI has denied Apple's allegations, setting the stage for a dispute over competing claims about how trade secrets were handled.
OpenAI's latest filing concerns a former employee who left Apple to join the ChatGPT maker, worked there for six months and then returned to the iPhone maker. Following an internal technical review, OpenAI alleges that the individual transferred more than 100 highly confidential files relating to at least one unreleased device under development to personal accounts.
The files allegedly included detailed images of the unreleased hardware, engineering and manufacturing data, supplier information, project documents, cosmetic finishing standards, and reports on the coating and sealing of hardware components.
Secret Device Plans Allegedly Shown to Apple Bosses
OpenAI claims the former employee made a presentation about its plans to Apple's senior leadership, including the vice-president of operations in Asia. The company said the presentation appeared to have taken place months earlier, raising concerns that its confidential information could be circulating within Apple.
In its court papers, OpenAI expressed concern that Apple's engineers could use the information to shape upcoming products. It linked those concerns to Apple's push into AI-enabled products, but the filing does not establish that Apple used OpenAI's confidential information to develop any product.
The allegations do not establish that Apple used OpenAI's information to develop or launch a product. Nor has a court determined that the alleged transfer amounted to the misappropriation of trade secrets.
Apple Denies Claims of Stolen Secrets
Apple has rejected OpenAI's allegations, telling Reuters that it has policies and procedures designed to ensure new employees do not use confidential information from previous employers. The company said its internal review had found no evidence to support OpenAI's claims.
According to the reporting, Apple's lawyers also questioned aspects of OpenAI's account, including whether the alleged files had reached Apple's systems.
They said the personal phone numbers identified by OpenAI did not match the number the employee used for work at Apple, and that Apple's investigation had found no evidence of OpenAI files in repositories associated with the employee's work.
Apple also said it had not been informed of the alleged presentation to senior executives and had sought further information from OpenAI. In the court proceedings, the company argued that OpenAI had moved ahead with its legal application rather than continuing discussions, although Apple said it remained willing to co-operate with the inquiry.
OpenAI, meanwhile, says it raised the matter directly with Apple but has not received the assurances it wants that the company neither possesses nor has used its confidential information.
Judge Grants Apple Faster Access to Evidence
The latest allegations have emerged amid Apple's ongoing lawsuit against OpenAI. US District Court Judge Edward Davila partially granted Apple's request for expedited access to certain digital records, allowing the company to gather information from devices used by former employees and question three individuals on a faster timetable.
Those named for questioning include Chang Liu, a former senior systems electrical engineer at Apple, and Tang Yew Tan, a former vice-president of product design for the iPhone and Apple Watch. Both are defendants in Apple's existing lawsuit.
The judge's order concerns Apple's evidence-gathering efforts in that case. It does not establish whether OpenAI's separate allegations about the transfer of confidential files are true.
Reuters reported that the case was likely to go to trial in October 2027, although the linked court filing listed no trial date. OpenAI has indicated in court filings that it could be ready to present its arguments as early as June 2027.
The dispute highlights the growing stakes as Apple and OpenAI pursue opportunities in AI-powered consumer devices, with both companies facing allegations concerning the handling of confidential information.
