Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
The legal fight between tech giants OpenAI and Apple is getting more intense by the day. In a major twist, the makers of ChatGPT have accused a former employee of stealing highly confidential files about an unreleased hardware device. The drama gets bigger because this employee reportedly took these top-secret files straight to Apple’s senior leadership after leaving OpenAI.
According to a new court document filed in San Jose, California, on October 14, 2026, the accused employee worked at OpenAI for just six months. On his final day, June 2, 2026, he transferred over a hundred top-secret files to their personal accounts right after midnight. Following this, OpenAI claims the employee presented the company’s secret product plans to top Apple executives, including Apple’s vice president of operations in Asia.
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What exactly was stolen?
These were not just regular office documents. OpenAI claims the stolen data contained extremely sensitive details about at least one unreleased hardware device. The transferred files reportedly included detailed images of the upcoming device, highly confidential engineering and manufacturing data, supplier project files, and specific standards for cosmetic finishes and hardware sealing.
OpenAI’s Big Fear
OpenAI is now deeply worried that its trade secrets are floating around inside Apple. The company fears that Apple engineers might use this stolen data to shape their own upcoming products. OpenAI specifically pointed to the recent release of Apple’s new AI-enabled smart home product, HomeView, as a major reason for their concern. This highlights a growing rivalry, as OpenAI pushes into consumer hardware, a market Apple has dominated for years.
Apple denies all claims
Apple is strongly pushing back against these accusations. In an October 12 letter sent to OpenAI, Apple’s lawyers stated that the two personal phone numbers used to receive the stolen files do not match the number the employee uses for their Apple work. Because of this, Apple believes the data never reached their systems.
Apple also clarified that an internal investigation found no evidence of OpenAI files on its servers. The iPhone maker stated it is entirely unaware of any presentation made by the employee about unreleased OpenAI products.
Furthermore, Apple emphasized that it has strict policies to stop new hires from using confidential data from past jobs and has asked OpenAI for more information to help investigate the claims.
Court steps in ahead of 2027 trial
This new accusation is just one piece of a larger legal war where both companies are accusing each other of corporate espionage. Earlier this year, Apple claimed some of its former employees took confidential information to OpenAI’s hardware division, a claim OpenAI denied.
Recently, US District Court Judge Edward Davila gave Apple early access to some digital files from OpenAI to help with the case. The judge also allowed Apple to quickly question three former employees on an expedited schedule. This includes the two main defendants in the case: Chang Liu, a former senior systems electrical engineer, and Tang Yew Tan, a former vice president of product design for the iPhone and Apple Watch.
This massive legal showdown over talent and intellectual property is expected to finally go to trial in October 2027, although OpenAI has told the court it could be ready as early as June 2027.
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SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
