A comprehensive 41-page complaint details allegations that OpenAI provided guidance to Apple employees on circumventing security protocols and requested "show and tell" demonstrations during job interviews.
Specifically, the lawsuit, filed by Apple, claims that when its employees interviewed for positions at OpenAI, the AI startup's hardware leader allegedly instructed them to bring unusual items: components they were actively developing and samples of unreleased products. Apple's blockbuster filing accuses OpenAI of engaging in a scheme to steal confidential documents, spy on hardware prototypes, and deceive one of Apple's trusted partners into performing a proprietary product design technique.
The core of the lawsuit centers on the alleged actions of three individuals: Tang, Liu, and Peng. These individuals are purportedly involved in an ongoing conspiracy to pilfer Apple's secrets, coinciding with OpenAI's plans to launch its inaugural AI hardware device next year.
The 41-page filing by Apple contains several striking claims.
Following his announcement to depart Apple, Liu reportedly failed to respond to requests to sign a confidentiality reminder, schedule an exit interview, or confirm the return of company-owned devices, which are standard Apple departure procedures. Instead, Apple asserts that Liu "failed to return at least one Apple-owned computer" and informed another employee, Peng, that he still possessed "another computer."
Furthermore, Liu allegedly accessed Apple’s cloud-based network storage weeks after his departure, exploiting an authentication vulnerability unknown to Apple. Apple claims Liu celebrated this discovery with Peng, stating, "LOL, I found out I can access the [network storage], so funny." Peng's alleged response was immediate: "'I’m ready.'"
Apple accuses Liu of downloading dozens of confidential files from its storage system. These files reportedly included technical specifications, details concerning unreleased products, and engineering presentations, one of which detailed the manufacturing and testing processes for Apple's main logic boards.
In the months subsequent to Liu's departure, Peng allegedly maintained communication with Liu, keeping him apprised of Apple's projects, engineering specifics, and vendor relationships. Apple claims, "Ms. Peng and Mr. Liu would engage in depth about those confidential projects, while Mr. Liu was working on developing OpenAI’s competing hardware," adding that "Mr. Liu’s work for OpenAI was informed by a steadily flowing stream of Apple’s trade secret information from Ms. Peng." Apple also alleges that Liu provided Peng with instructions on how to access and copy files from Apple’s devices "to avoid trouble with the security team," directing her to "specific Apple project folders and proprietary engineering data." Peng reportedly left Apple to join OpenAI in April 2026.
Tan is accused of actively soliciting Apple’s trade secrets during interviews with OpenAI job candidates and subsequently questioning them on the information. Apple claims Liu informed Peng that another former Apple employee "fumbled" answers to a question Tan posed regarding "a top-secret project for an unreleased new Apple product." Liu then allegedly downloaded "some info" using his network access to assist Peng in preparing for her interview. In another instance, Apple asserts that a different former employee began "screenshotting and downloading files relating to a highly confidential Apple project" prior to an interview with OpenAI, during which Tan is accused of requesting further information about that specific project. Last year, Tan reportedly admitted to receiving confidential information about an AI hardware startup before joining Jony Ive’s io.
Beyond seeking details on Apple’s classified projects, Tan is also accused of instructing interviewees to bring hardware components and product samples from their work at Apple for "show and tell sessions." For example, messages found on an Apple-issued work device allegedly show that Mr. Tan instructed an Apple employee to "bring some parts [she] worked on" such as "Batteries," "SIP" (Systems-in-Package), "mlb" (main logic boards), and "shields," suggesting it "may be good to show" these Apple components to other interviewers. Additionally, OpenAI is accused of requiring interviewees to prepare "Technical Deep Dive" presentations, with slides allegedly revealing confidential information from their tenure at Apple.
Apple claims that Tan maintained an internal document outlining Apple's employee offboarding procedures. OpenAI allegedly utilized this information to forewarn employees transitioning from Apple about the company's security checks and "coached" them on methods to evade these measures. The AI firm is further accused of advising departing Apple workers not to disclose their new employer and offering strategies to avoid a "dreaded walk out," which would result in their immediate dismissal and prevent them from accessing Apple’s systems for a standard two weeks, according to the lawsuit. OpenAI allegedly instructed Apple employees not to "sign anything at the exit interview" and to notify OpenAI "asap" if asked to sign a document.
In its lawsuit, Apple states that OpenAI’s alleged tactics "appear to be having their desired effect." Apple claims to have observed "a recent trend of employees who are leaving Apple for OpenAI and taking steps to evade security measures," including workers "ignoring outreach by security personnel to schedule exit processes and security reviews."
Moreover, Apple alleges that OpenAI leveraged its confidential information to approach Apple’s "trusted partners," including one responsible for a proprietary, multi-step metal-finishing technique used in Apple's products. OpenAI purportedly misled this partner, leading the company to believe that OpenAI had Apple’s authorization to employ the metal-finishing technique. Apple unequivocally states, "Apple has not given OpenAI or io permission to use or a license to any of Apple’s trade secrets or confidential information, including those it has entrusted with this partner." OpenAI is also accused of contacting "at least" one other supplier that collaborates with Apple on power and battery manufacturing. OpenAI allegedly used confidential information and internal codenames to pose "targeted questions" about Apple’s components, which "would be useful in furthering OpenAI’s hardware ambitions."
In response to these allegations, OpenAI spokesperson Drew Pusateri provided a statement to The Verge on Friday, asserting: "We have no interest in other companies’ trade secrets. We remain focused on building innovative technology that empowers people everywhere."
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