Apple filed a 41‑page complaint on Friday against OpenAI, accusing the company of a coordinated effort to obtain confidential information from current and former Apple employees. The complaint contains detailed examples of alleged conduct and argues that the behavior was normalized within OpenAI and encouraged from leadership.
Key allegations
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Apple says the conduct was "normalized and exemplified by leadership," and accuses OpenAI of building parts of its emerging hardware business on illegally obtained Apple trade secrets, calling that foundation "rotten to its core." The complaint suggests OpenAI’s hardware work relied on misappropriated information from Apple.
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The complaint warns the incidents described in the filing are only "the tip of the iceberg," asserting discovery will reveal misappropriation on a much larger scale through corporate documents, emails, and messages.
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Apple quotes specific messages it says were exchanged between individuals. For example, it alleges that Chang Liu, previously a senior systems electrical engineer at Apple, messaged Yu‑Ting "Alyssa" Peng — who Apple describes as a conduit between the companies and who later joined OpenAI but is not a defendant — writing: "LOL, I found out I can access the [network storage], so funny." Peng is said to have replied, "I'm ready." Apple alleges Liu exploited an authentication bug to access Apple systems from Peng’s Apple‑issued work computer.
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The complaint also cites a message attributed to Liu shortly after leaving Apple: "I still have another computer," which Apple says referred to an additional Apple device he planned to use to access confidential information. That message was discovered on Peng’s Apple laptop.
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Apple alleges OpenAI instructed candidates who worked at Apple — at the direction of OpenAI chief hardware officer Tang Yew Tan, a 24‑year Apple veteran and former VP of product design for iPhone and Apple Watch — to bring "actual parts" from Apple to OpenAI interviews for "show and tell" sessions. One candidate reportedly said they "didn’t even know we could take those from the office," according to Apple. The company also alleges employees were told to bring "CAD/design artifacts" and "prototypes."
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The complaint claims OpenAI coached departing Apple employees on how to avoid Apple’s security procedures to reduce the chance that any alleged theft would be detected. Apple alleges OpenAI circulated an internal Apple document labeled "Need to know" to new hires with guidance on avoiding the "dreaded walkout," which would have immediately removed them from Apple after notice and prevented continued access.
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Apple further alleges that if departing employees were asked to sign anything at exit interviews, OpenAI advised they notify OpenAI "asap" and not to sign.
Scale of employee movement and the io acquisition
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The complaint states that "over four hundred" former Apple employees now work at OpenAI. Apple uses this figure to underline the potential scale of employees who may possess confidential Apple knowledge.
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Apple also names io — a design firm founded by former Apple employees including Jony Ive and acquired by OpenAI last year for about $6.5 billion — as a defendant. The complaint alleges io and OpenAI personnel used Apple’s industrial design techniques, processes, and know‑how, including a confidential metal‑finishing technique, and that OpenAI approached a supplier using internal Apple terminology to ask targeted design and component questions that "only Apple‑insiders would know to ask."
Apple’s outreach and OpenAI’s response
Apple says it first tried to raise its concerns with OpenAI in February but received no response, leaving Apple to pursue litigation. Apple’s complaint concludes that the company was left with "no choice" but to sue.
OpenAI’s only public comment so far was a statement on X on Friday: "We have no interest in other companies’ trade secrets. We remain focused on building innovative technology that empowers people everywhere."
Why this matters
The complaint highlights how recruiting and staff movement across companies can be tied to alleged unauthorized access to confidential information. If discovery and subsequent proceedings uncover more evidence supporting Apple’s claims, there could be significant legal and business consequences for OpenAI and associated parties. At this stage, the allegations are those in Apple’s filing and will need to be established through the legal process.
Next steps
The complaint was filed on Friday, and Apple says discovery will expose further documents, emails, and messages relevant to the case. The courts and the discovery process will determine the weight of the allegations and whether they can be substantiated.
