Apple says more ex-employees may have taken confidential data to OpenAI
The legal friction between Apple and OpenAI has intensified significantly. In a recent court filing, the iPhone maker has requested a preliminary injunction aimed at preventing the AI powerhouse from developing hardware or software products that leverage proprietary Apple technology. This escalation signals that Apple’s internal investigation into the alleged misappropriation of trade secrets has uncovered a much broader scope of potential misconduct than initially identified.
Widening the Scope of Investigation
Apple is now pushing for expedited discovery, targeting a wider net of individuals and entities. The company’s legal team is seeking information from several key figures, including:
- Chang Liu: A senior systems engineer formerly at Apple.
- Tang Yew Tan: Apple’s former Chief Hardware Officer.
- OpenAI: Including its foundation and associated personnel.
- io: The hardware startup co-founded by legendary former Apple designer Jony Ive.
Beyond the primary targets, Apple’s filing suggests that at least 11 other former employees may have been involved as witnesses or active participants in the unauthorized handling of sensitive data. The company points to specific instances where former staff allegedly discussed unannounced Apple products during meetings or captured screenshots of confidential documentation prior to interviewing with OpenAI.
"For example, another former Apple employee seems to have met with Mr. Liu and Ms. Peng in advance of Ms. Peng’s interview at OpenAI and discussed with them during that meeting Apple proprietary information relating to unannounced products," the filing claims.
A Pattern of Unauthorized Access
Apple’s legal team argues that the situation is systemic. The filing notes that since the initial complaint was lodged, multiple former employees now employed by OpenAI have reached out to return Apple-issued work devices they had retained after their departure. Apple contends this behavior provides "good cause" to suspect that the theft of intellectual property is not an isolated incident involving one or two individuals, but rather a wider pattern of negligence and potential corporate espionage.
OpenAI Fires Back
OpenAI has issued a swift and sharp rebuttal to these allegations. In a public statement, the AI developer dismissed the request for a preliminary injunction as both "false" and "unnecessary."
The company’s defense rests on several key points:
- Denial of Interest: OpenAI maintains it has no desire for, nor does it possess, any of Apple’s trade secrets.
- Focus on Innovation: The organization claims its primary objective is pushing the boundaries of AI technology rather than replicating existing hardware.
- Procedural Errors: OpenAI highlighted previous blunders by Apple, such as misidentifying individuals during the initial outreach phase and alleged misrepresentations regarding communications with OpenAI’s general counsel.
Furthermore, OpenAI has suggested that any "residual access" former employees may have had to Apple’s internal systems is a direct consequence of Apple’s own inadequate security protocols, rather than a malicious breach by the AI firm.
As the legal battle unfolds, the industry remains focused on whether Apple can substantiate its claims of widespread data theft or if the case will be dismissed as an overreach. For now, the tension between the two tech giants continues to escalate, casting a shadow over the future of AI-integrated hardware development.