Apple sues OpenAI over ex-engineer's alleged trade secret theft via bug

Apple is taking legal action against OpenAI, accusing the AI company of orchestrating a scheme to steal trade secrets through a bug exploited by a former engineer. According to a lawsuit filed Friday, Chang Liu—an eight-year Apple veteran who left for OpenAI in January 2026—discovered an authentication bug on February 9 that let him access Apple's shared network folders using an unreturned work laptop. Instead of reporting the flaw, Liu allegedly downloaded dozens of confidential files over several weeks, including detailed hardware specifications, engineering presentations, and data on unreleased products. One presentation on Apple's complex circuit boards Apple called "invaluable to anyone developing hardware." Liu reportedly left mocking messages on his laptop, including "I found out I can access the [network storage], so funny."

Apple claims the bug was quickly fixed and not widely exploited, but the damage was done. The lawsuit also implicates Yu-Ting “Alyssa” Peng, a current Apple employee who allegedly conspired with Liu, and Tang Yew Tan, Apple's former vice president of product design for iPhone who now serves as OpenAI's chief hardware officer. Apple alleges Tan used insider knowledge—like secret project code names—to entice Apple employees to disclose unreleased products during interviews. OpenAI has denied relying on Apple secrets and called the allegations unfounded. CEO Sam Altman posted on X: "I am not afraid of Apple, but I have tremendous respect for them." Apple seeks injunctions to prevent OpenAI from benefiting from the alleged theft and has noted over 400 former Apple employees now work at OpenAI.