The 6 wildest allegations in Apple’s lawsuit against OpenAI

When Apple employees interviewed for jobs at OpenAI, the AI ​​startup’s head of hardware allegedly asked them to show up with something unusual: components they were working on and samples of unreleased products. That depends Huge lawsuit Filed by Apple, which is accused OpenAI to steal confidential documentsSpying on prototype devices and tricking one of its trusted partners into implementing a proprietary product design technique.

The lawsuit primarily revolves around the alleged actions of three people:

They are accused of being part of an ongoing scheme to steal Apple’s secrets as OpenAI plans its first AI-powered device, supposedly coming next year.

Here are the most surprising claims in Apple’s 41-page filing.

Liu allegedly kept a computer owned by Apple, which allowed him to download dozens of confidential files

After Apple’s departure plans were announced, Liu allegedly did not respond to requests to sign a confidentiality reminder, schedule an exit interview, or confirm that he had returned company-owned devices, as is customary with departures at Apple. Instead, Apple claims Liu “failed to return at least one Apple-owned computer” and told another employee, named Ping, that he still had “one other computer.”

Liu also allegedly gained access to Apple’s cloud storage network weeks after he left the company, using an authentication vulnerability that Apple was unaware of. “Mr. Liu celebrated his discovery with Ms. Peng and proceeded to exploit it: ‘LOL, I found out I can access (network storage), which is pretty funny,’” Apple claims. “Ms. Peng’s response was immediate: ‘I’m ready.’”

Apple accuses Liu of downloading dozens of confidential files from its storage system, including documents containing technical specifications, details about unreleased products, and engineering presentations, including one detailing the manufacturing and testing of Apple’s key logic boards.

Peng was accused of leaking confidential Apple information to Liu

In the months following Liu’s departure, Ping allegedly kept Liu informed of Apple projects, engineering details, and vendor relationships. “Ms. Peng and Mr. Liu would be deeply involved in these secret projects, while Mr. Liu was developing competing OpenAI devices,” Apple claims. “Mr. Liu’s work at OpenAI was inspired by the constant flow of Apple trade secret information from Ms. Peng.”

Apple also alleges that Liu told Ping how to access and copy files from Apple devices “to avoid problems with the security team,” while directing her to “specific Apple project folders and private engineering data.” Peng left Apple to work at OpenAI in April 2026.

OpenAI’s hardware head allegedly digs up secret Apple projects during interviews

Tan is accused of soliciting Apple trade secrets during interviews with OpenAI job candidates — and questioning them about them. Apple alleges that Liu told Peng how another former Apple employee “fumbled” his answers to a question posed by Tan about a “top-secret project for a new Apple product that has not yet been released.” Liu then allegedly downloaded “some information” using his access to Apple’s network to help Peng prepare for her interview.

In another case, Apple claims another former employee began “screenshotting and downloading files related to a top-secret Apple project” before an interview with OpenAI. Tan was accused of asking for more information about the same project during the interview. Last year, Tan Acknowledge receipt Confidential information about starting AI machines before joining Ive’s io.

Tan asks ex-Apple employees to share parts and product samples for ‘show and tell’

Aside from asking for more information about secret Apple projects, Tan is accused of telling interviewees to bring hardware components and product samples from their work at Apple for “show-and-tell sessions”:

For example, messages left on an Apple-issued work device show that Mr. Tan instructed an Apple employee to “bring over some parts I worked on” such as “batteries,” “SIPs” (systems in package), “mlbs” (multilayer or main logic boards), and “shields,” and that it might be a “good idea to show” other interviewers these Apple components.

Additionally, OpenAI has been accused of asking interviewees to prepare “technical deep dive” presentations, with slides revealing confidential information from their work at Apple.

OpenAI allegedly trained Apple employees on how to bypass security measures

Apple claims that Tan kept an internal document outlining procedures for terminating employees. OpenAI allegedly used this information to warn employees coming from Apple about the company’s security checks, and “coached” them on how to avoid them.

The AI ​​giant also advised departing Apple workers not to disclose their new employer, and also offered tips on how to avoid a “creepy exit,” which could result in them being immediately removed from the company, and being locked out of Apple’s systems for a record two weeks, the lawsuit alleges. OpenAI has been accused of telling Apple employees not to “sign anything in an exit interview,” and if they were asked to sign a document, they should tell OpenAI “as soon as possible.”

In the lawsuit, Apple says OpenAI’s alleged tactics “appear to be having the desired effect.” Apple claims to have noticed “a recent trend of employees leaving Apple for OpenAI and taking steps to evade security measures,” including workers “ignoring communication from security staff to schedule exits and security reviews.”

Apple accuses OpenAI of stealing its metal finishing technology

Apple alleges that OpenAI used its confidential information to communicate with its “trusted partners,” including a partner that implements a proprietary multi-step metal finishing technology for its products. OpenAI allegedly misled an Apple partner, leading the company to believe that OpenAI had permission from Apple to use the metal finishing technology. “Apple has not granted OpenAI or io permission to use or license any of Apple’s trade secrets or confidential information, including those it has entrusted to this partner,” Apple says.

Apple also accuses OpenAI of communicating “at least” with another supplier that works with Apple on power and battery manufacturing. OpenAI allegedly used confidential information and internal codenames to ask “targeted questions” about Apple components “that may be useful in furthering OpenAI’s hardware ambitions.”

OpenAI spokesperson Drew Pusateri provided this statement to Edge On Friday: “We have no interest in other companies’ trade secrets. We will remain focused on building innovative technology that empowers people everywhere.”