OpenAI employee arrested over hidden listening device, company says

OpenAI faces scrutiny over security incidents involving its AI systems.NurPhoto / NurPhoto / Getty ImagesShareAdd NBC News to GoogleOct. 13, 2026, 4:40 PM EDT / Source: ReutersBy ReutersOpenAI said on Tuesday that the Federal Bureau of Investigation had arrested one of its employees in connection with a sophisticated listening device found hidden in one of the company’s offices.

“At this time, we have no indications of this individual inappropriately accessing or exfiltrating model weights, source code, or customer data. The employee was terminated,” according to the AI startup.

Add to GoogleOpenAI CEO Sam Altman says people need to 'accept some bad things' for the benefits of AI03:31The startup said it referred the matter to the FBI, which is continuing to investigate.

The development comes as OpenAI faces scrutiny over security incidents involving its AI systems. Earlier this month, Reuters and other media outlets reported that OpenAI had told investors its annualized revenue for September was almost $50 billion, a drop from what it signaled earlier.

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