OpenAI has accused a former employee of sending more than 100 confidential files about an unreleased device to personal accounts before returning to Apple, in a new filing in the two companies’ trade secrets lawsuit. Why it matters: the case that began with Apple accusing OpenAI of taking its secrets now has a mirror-image claim running the other way — and Apple says it has found no evidence to back the new allegation.
October 14, 2026 — OpenAI filed the claim on Wednesday as part of the federal lawsuit Apple brought against it in July, a case that has steadily escalated as both sides dig into the movement of hardware staff and information between the companies.
What OpenAI alleges happened
According to the filing, the employee had originally come to OpenAI from Apple, worked there for about six months, and then went back to Apple. OpenAI says a forensic investigation that grew out of the lawsuit found that, on June 2, 2026 — described as the employee’s final day at OpenAI — he sent more than a hundred files covering at least one unreleased device to his personal accounts.
OpenAI describes the material as covering detailed images of the device, engineering and manufacturing data, supplier information and project files, plus standards for cosmetic finishes and reports on coating and sealing hardware components. It also alleges the employee later presented OpenAI’s plans to senior Apple leaders, including Apple’s vice president of operations in Asia, and says that presentation took place months ago.
Apple’s response
Apple told Reuters it has not found evidence supporting OpenAI’s allegations, and pointed to policies and procedures meant to stop new hires from using confidential material from a previous employer. OpenAI, for its part, says it raised the issue directly with Apple and has not received the assurances it asked for that Apple does not hold or has not used its confidential information.
The filing lands a day after a judge in the same case ordered OpenAI to hand Apple hiring and interview records for former Apple staff who applied to its hardware and robotics groups — a reminder that discovery is now cutting in both directions.
Why it matters
For readers, the practical takeaway is that the Apple–OpenAI fight is no longer a one-way accusation. Both companies are now alleging that confidential hardware information crossed the fence with departing employees, which raises the stakes for OpenAI’s still-unreleased device plans and for Apple’s own push into AI-enabled products. None of the new claims has been proven in court, and the employee at the center of this filing has not been named in the reports. Expect more filings before either side’s version is tested.
Frequently asked questions
What is OpenAI accusing the former employee of?
OpenAI alleges he sent more than 100 confidential files about an unreleased device to his personal accounts on his last day, and later presented OpenAI’s plans to senior Apple leadership. These are allegations in a court filing, not findings.
How has Apple responded?
Apple told Reuters it has found no evidence to support the allegations and said it has policies and procedures to prevent new employees from using a former employer’s confidential information.
How does this fit into the wider lawsuit?
Apple sued OpenAI in July, accusing it of benefiting from trade secrets brought by former Apple employees. This filing adds a counter-allegation in the opposite direction while discovery continues in both directions.
Sources: Reuters, 9to5Mac