Apple has filed a blockbuster lawsuit against OpenAI, accusing the AI startup of orchestrating a sophisticated scheme to steal trade secrets, spy on hardware prototypes, and trick one of its trusted partners into performing a proprietary product design technique. The 41-page complaint, filed on July 13, 2026, centers on the alleged actions of three individuals: Tang Tan, a 24-year Apple veteran who later became OpenAI's chief hardware officer; Chang Liu, a former Apple systems electrical engineer; and Yu-Ting 'Alyssa' Peng, another former Apple employee who joined OpenAI in April 2026.

Claim 1: Liu Failed to Return a Company Computer and Exploited a Security Vulnerability

After announcing his departure from Apple, Liu allegedly did not respond to requests to sign a confidentiality reminder, schedule an exit interview, or confirm that he returned company-owned devices. Apple claims Liu 'failed to return at least one Apple-owned computer' and told Peng that he still had 'another computer.' Worse, Liu allegedly accessed Apple's cloud-based network storage weeks after leaving, using an authentication vulnerability that Apple did not know about. 'LOL, I found out I can access the [network storage], so funny,' Liu reportedly told Peng, who responded 'I'm ready.' Apple accuses Liu of downloading dozens of confidential files, including technical specifications, unreleased product details, and engineering presentations.

Claim 2: Peng Siphoned Confidential Information to Liu for Months

In the months following Liu's departure, Peng allegedly kept him informed about Apple's projects, engineering details, and vendor relationships. According to the lawsuit, 'Ms. Peng and Mr. Liu would engage in depth about those confidential projects, while Mr. Liu was working on developing OpenAI's competing hardware.' Apple claims Liu instructed Peng on how to access and copy files from Apple's devices 'to avoid trouble with the security team,' pointing her to specific project folders and proprietary engineering data. Peng left Apple for OpenAI in April 2026.

Claim 3: Tan Asked Interviewees to Bring Apple Hardware for 'Show and Tell'

Tang Tan is accused of soliciting Apple trade secrets during interviews with job candidates. Apple claims Liu told Peng about another former employee who 'fumbled' his answers to a question Tan asked about a top-secret unreleased product. Liu then allegedly downloaded 'some info' to help Peng prepare. In another instance, a former employee began screenshotting files about a highly confidential project before an interview with OpenAI. Tan is accused of asking for more information about that same project during the interview, and of instructing candidates to bring hardware components—such as batteries, system-in-package modules, main logic boards, and shields—for 'show and tell sessions.'

Claim 4: OpenAI Coached Apple Employees on How to Bypass Security Measures

Apple claims Tan kept an internal document outlining employee offboarding procedures. OpenAI allegedly used this information to warn incoming Apple employees about the company's security checks and 'coached' them on how to avoid them. The AI giant advised departing workers not to disclose their new employer, offered tips on avoiding a 'dreaded walk out' (immediate removal from the company), and told them not to sign anything at the exit interview—if forced, to notify OpenAI 'asap.' Apple says it has noticed a trend of employees leaving for OpenAI and 'taking steps to evade security measures,' including ignoring outreach by security personnel.

Claim 5: OpenAI Stole a Proprietary Metal-Finishing Technique

Apple claims OpenAI used confidential information to approach one of its trusted partners—a company that performs a proprietary, multi-step metal-finishing technique for Apple products. OpenAI allegedly misled the partner into believing it had Apple's permission to use the technique. 'Apple has not given OpenAI or io permission to use or a license to any of Apple's trade secrets or confidential information,' the lawsuit states. This technique is critical to Apple's product design and has been developed over years of research.

Claim 6: OpenAI Approached Apple's Suppliers Using Internal Codewords

Apple accuses OpenAI of approaching at least one other supplier that works with Apple on power and battery components. Using confidential information and internal codenames, OpenAI asked 'targeted questions' about Apple's components—questions that would be useful in furthering its hardware ambitions. The lawsuit suggests OpenAI is systematically mining Apple's supply chain for competitive intelligence.

OpenAI spokesperson Drew Pusateri responded to The Verge on Friday: 'We have no interest in other companies' trade secrets. We remain focused on building innovative technology that empowers people everywhere.' The lawsuit, filed in federal court, seeks injunctive relief and damages. As OpenAI prepares to launch its first AI hardware device next year, the allegations paint a picture of a company willing to cross ethical and legal lines to accelerate its development timeline.

Source:The Verge News