Key facts
- Apple filed a lawsuit against OpenAI on Friday, alleging trade secret theft.
- The suit claims OpenAI and former employees stole confidential information on Apple hardware, including unreleased products.
- Two former Apple employees, Chang Liu and Tang Yew Tan, are named defendants.
- Apple alleges Liu downloaded dozens of confidential files and Tan emailed himself supplier information and industry summaries.
- OpenAI denies interest in other companies' trade secrets and states focus on innovative technology.
- Apple claims OpenAI's hardware business is built on illegally obtained trade secrets.
Tech giant Apple has filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, accusing the artificial intelligence firm and two former Apple employees of stealing trade secrets. The suit alleges that OpenAI and the employees aggressively worked to poach Apple staff and obtain confidential information on Apple hardware, including unreleased products, technical specifications, and engineering presentations.
According to the complaint, former Apple engineer Chang Liu, who moved to OpenAI in January 2026, allegedly discovered an authentication bug that allowed him to access and download dozens of confidential files. Liu is also accused of coaching a former Apple colleague on how to avoid security flags while copying files.
The lawsuit also names Tang Yew Tan, OpenAI's chief hardware officer and a 24-year Apple veteran, accusing him of methodically using Apple's confidential information. Tan allegedly emailed himself information about Apple's suppliers and internal industry summaries before leaving the company.
Apple described its findings as the "tip of the iceberg," suggesting that OpenAI's "nascent hardware business" is built on illegally obtained trade secrets. OpenAI, in response, stated it has "no interest in other companies' trade secrets" and remains focused on building innovative technology.