In a new filing, OpenAI claims that a former employee who departed for Apple sent "over a hundred highly confidential files about at least one unreleased OpenAI device under development to his personal accounts."
Apple, however, told Reuters that it has not found any evidence to support these allegations. The dispute is the latest development in the ongoing trade secrets lawsuit between Apple and OpenAI. Apple filed the lawsuit in July, accusing former employees of stealing trade secrets to benefit OpenAI. In August, Apple revealed what it called "shocking evidence" based on an early forensic analysis of a laptop used by a former engineer who left for OpenAI.
According to the filing, the files were sent on June 2, 2026, the employee's final day at the company. They reportedly include detailed images of the unreleased device, engineering and manufacturing data, supplier information, project files, cosmetic finish standards, and reports on coating and sealing of hardware components. OpenAI also alleges the employee "made a presentation about OpenAI's plans to Apple's senior leadership, including Apple's vice president of operations in Asia."
OpenAI says it is concerned that its trade secrets are now circulating inside Apple, where engineers could shape upcoming products based on its work. It claims Apple has not provided the assurances it requested that it does not possess or use the information. Apple says it has "policies and procedures in place to ensure new employees do not use confidential information from previous employers."
Source: 9to5Mac · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing