Apple alleges former employee stole internal schematics for OpenAI

The discovery followed weeks of delays after Liu’s counsel surrendered the device for inspection. Apple’s court filing alleges that Liu not only utilized proprietary tools but also coordinated with OpenAI colleague Yu-Ting Peng to destroy evidence once the internal investigation became known in June. While specific details remain redacted, the company maintains that these findings disprove earlier claims that access to the files was merely a byproduct of residual system permissions.

OpenAI has consistently characterized the situation as a byproduct of Apple's own failure to manage offboarding processes, suggesting that any accessed data was purely for the benefit of former colleagues. Apple countered this narrative by asserting that Liu actively exploited a previously unknown authentication bug to maintain his access. The stakes for OpenAI are significant, as Apple is currently seeking a court order to block the startup from utilizing hardware technology derived from the disputed data. With over 400 former Apple employees now on OpenAI’s payroll, the outcome of this case could set a precedent for how the industry handles the movement of talent and technical knowledge between competitors.