A Saudi national has been formally charged with allegedly installing a surreptitiously recorded device in the OpenAI office, where it remained undetected for several days.

The incident occurred at OpenAI’s headquarters in San Francisco, where authorities discovered the hidden recording device wrapped in toilet paper and inserted into a USB port on the back of a TV in an executive conference room. The device was not activated until it was plugged into an open port, according to prosecutors. According to officials, the suspect admitted to attaching the device as part of a prank gone wrong, but claimed they had not intended for it to be activated or used for malicious purposes. However, law enforcement sources stated that further investigation is ongoing and no motives have been confirmed. The charges against the individual are currently under review, with prosecutors working to determine whether the suspect’s actions constituted an attempt to commit espionage or cybercrime. As a result of the incident, OpenAI has reviewed its security protocols and taken steps to strengthen its systems and safeguard sensitive information in the future. The exact nature of the recording device is not publicly known, although officials have confirmed that it was capable of capturing audio without being detected. The OpenAI company has released an official statement assuring employees of their commitment to maintaining a secure work environment and protecting sensitive data.