Apple OpenAI Lawsuit: Former Employee Accused of Stealing Apple Data for OpenAI
Apple is suing OpenAI, alleging a former engineer, Chang Liu, used a security bug to steal confidential hardware files after joining the AI firm. Apple claims Liu misused his old laptop and a colleague’s credentials to access proprietary data, prompting a legal battle over corporate trade secrets.
Apple has initiated legal action against OpenAI, alleging the theft of trade secrets and the misuse of confidential data. The lawsuit centres on claims that a former system electrical engineer, Chang Liu, accessed sensitive Apple files after transitioning to a role at OpenAI.
Apple Lawsuit Against OpenAI: Security Vulnerability and Data Breach
Apple asserts that Liu exploited a previously unknown authentication bug to gain access to the company’s internal network storage weeks after his departure. As per a report by TechCrunch, the company has since addressed this zero-day vulnerability and terminated the unauthorised access once the breach was identified. The lawsuit claims that dozens of confidential hardware-related files, including technical specifications for unreleased products and proprietary project documentation, were siphoned during this period. Apple Takes OpenAI to Court Over Alleged Trade Secret Theft.
Alleged Misuse of Credentials and Devices
The complaint alleges that Liu not only failed to return his Apple-issued work laptop but also leveraged the credentials of a former colleague, Yu-Ting Peng, who also later joined OpenAI. As per a report by TechCrunch, Apple’s filing suggests that Liu allegedly used Peng’s company-issued device to access restricted repositories while he was no longer an employee. According to court documents, Liu reportedly communicated to Peng that he had found a way to bypass security to access the files. Elon Musk vs Sam Altman: Duo Engage in Public Spat As Tesla CEO Mocks OpenAI Over Apple’s Trade Secret Lawsuit.
Legal Implications and Industry Response
Apple has filed the lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California and is seeking a jury trial to address the misappropriation of its trade secrets. OpenAI has publicly maintained that it has no interest in the intellectual property of other companies. This case underscores the ongoing challenges major technology firms face in decommissioning access for departing staff and protecting sensitive data in an increasingly competitive AI landscape.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 14, 2026 07:49 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).