AI ChatGPT ‘OpenAI has been stealing Apple’s trade secrets and confidential information’: The 4 biggest allegations in Apple’s lawsuit against OpenAI News By Mike Prospero Published 10 July 2026 Here’s what Apple is claiming OpenAI stole When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works . (Image credit: Apple/OpenAI) Copy link Facebook X Reddit Email Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Subscribe to our newsletter Apple on Friday filed a lawsuit against OpenAI , alleging that the artificial intelligence company engaged in the theft of trade secrets, intellectual property and actively coached departing Apple employees how to evade the company’s security policies. “At every level, from members of its Technical Staff to its Chief Hardware Officer, and in coordination with business partners, OpenAI has been stealing Apple’s trade secrets and confidential information,” the suit says. The suit, filed in federal court in Northern California, calls for an injunction against OpenAI, as well as unspecified damages resulting from the theft of Apple’s trade secrets. Latest Videos From Watch full video here: We’ve gone through the entire lawsuit ; here are four of the biggest allegations Apple claims. Holding on to company property One of the plaintiffs named in the lawsuit is Chang Liu, who was a Senior System Electrical Engineer at Apple for eight years, and joined OpenAI in January 2026. The suit alleges that Liu realized he was able to still access Apple’s confidential files after leaving, and then also instructed another colleague on how she could also pass along information. You may like Elon Musk just lost his OpenAI lawsuit — and the fallout could reshape the AI race ‘I was a fool’: Elon Musk calls OpenAI’s mission a ‘safety risk’— but courtroom gaffe proves he’s out of the loop OpenAI is reportedly making its own phone — here’s how it could be different from the iPhone “Within hours of leaving Apple, Mr. Liu shared with Ms. Peng, “I still have another computer” he was planning to use to access Apple’s confidential information so he could discuss it with Ms. Peng that evening. Within weeks of departing Apple, Mr. Liu also used Ms. Peng’s Apple-issued work computer that was authenticated to Apple’s network — accessing it while she was still employed at Apple and he was not.” Mr. Liu discovered that, surprisingly, he still could access the Apple’s network repository after leaving Apple, the result of a then-unknown authentication vulnerability. Rather than bringing this to Apple’s attention or protecting Apple’s confidential information as required by his IPA, Mr. Liu celebrated his find with Ms. Peng and set about exploiting it: “LOL, I found out I can access the [network storage], so funny.” Ms. Peng’s response was immediate: “I’m ready.” Tom’s Guide: Direct to Your Inbox Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over. Show-and-tell Apple alleges that, as part of OpenAI’s interview process, Tang Yew Tan, who was the Vice President of Product Design for iPhone and Apple Watch , and now OpenAI’s Chief Hardware Officer, asked Apple employees to bring detailed CAD drawings, prototypes and other samples. “Mr. Tan has directed candidates to bring physical hardware components, “parts,” and product samples from their Apple work to their OpenAI interviews for “show and tell” sessions that would disclose Apple’s proprietary technologies. For example, messages left on an Apple-issued work device show that Mr. Tan instructed an Apple employee to “bring some parts [she] worked on” such as “Batteries,” “SIP” (Systems-in-Package), “ mlb ” (multi-layer or main
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