OpenAI Bugging Case Takes New Turn As Prosecutors Reveal Saudi Royal Links

US federal prosecutors have alleged that Abdulrahman Alfozan, a 35-year-old Saudi national accused of planting a covert recording device at OpenAI, maintained frequent WhatsApp communications with a member of the Saudi royal family and received support linked to the Saudi government for his family’s departure from the United States.

In a court filing seeking to keep Alfozan in custody, prosecutors said he communicated with the unidentified royal throughout 2025 and 2026, including on October 5, just four days before his arrest. According to the filing, the royal told Alfozan that Saudi Arabia was launching an artificial intelligence initiative and repeatedly encouraged him to leave OpenAI and join the project. The royal’s identity and any connection to the alleged recording operation remain unclear.

Prosecutors also alleged that the Saudi government, including a member of the military, arranged flights for Alfozan’s wife, Lujain Alassaf, and their three-month-old son to leave the US following his arrest. The family reportedly departed on October 10, earlier than their originally planned travel date.

The allegations add to scrutiny surrounding Alfozan’s professional connections in Saudi Arabia. He is listed as a venture partner at Raed Ventures, a Saudi venture capital firm that also lists Prince Khalid bin Bader Al Saud as a venture partner. However, prosecutors have not identified the royal involved in the WhatsApp exchanges or alleged that the prince, the investment firm or its partners knew about the recording device.

The FBI arrested Alfozan on October 9 after OpenAI discovered a concealed recording device behind a television in an executive conference room at its San Francisco offices on September 30. The device was allegedly installed to capture confidential discussions involving the company’s technology, research, product plans and business strategy.

According to the criminal complaint, investigators also found another similar device in a bag associated with Alfozan. Prosecutors cited his alleged efforts to gather information about meeting rooms and executive schedules as part of their case.

Alfozan had also booked a one-way flight to Saudi Arabia for October 12 with family members, according to earlier court filings. His lawyer has said the allegations appear out of character and vowed to examine the evidence.

OpenAI has said it found no indication that Alfozan improperly accessed or extracted model weights, source code or customer data. The case remains ongoing, and Alfozan is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.