Apple has issued legal letters to former employees now at OpenAI, warning them not to delete documents that could be used in the ongoing lawsuit. The notices aim to preserve any evidence related to the alleged theft of trade secrets.

In early July 2026, Apple filed a lawsuit accusing OpenAI of receiving confidential information from ex‑employees, specifically naming former executives Tang Tan and Chang Liu. Apple claims the evidence is only the “tip of the iceberg” and that more secrets may have been transferred. Sam Altman, OpenAI’s CEO, has publicly denied the allegations, stating that the company’s data practices comply with legal standards.

The letters were sent to roughly 40 former Apple staffers, requesting that all relevant documentation be retained. Apple is also concerned that data already deleted by the parties may still be recoverable. The company notes that over 400 ex‑employees are now working for OpenAI, and alleges that Tan encouraged Apple interviewees to bring parts to a meeting while still having access to Apple networks with an unreturned device.

OpenAI is reportedly developing a smart speaker comparable to Apple’s HomePod, powered by its ChatGPT AI. The dispute has drawn attention to the competitive dynamics between the two tech giants.