Apple filed suit Friday accusing OpenAI's Chief Hardware Officer and other former Apple employees of systematically stealing confidential product information to fuel OpenAI's hardware ambitions.
Apple filed a federal lawsuit Friday against OpenAI, alleging trade secret theft and breach of contract by former Apple employees now working at the AI company, according to a complaint filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California [1].
The case matters for anyone building on or competing with either company’s hardware platforms: Apple alleges that OpenAI’s nascent device business was built in part on misappropriated confidential information about unreleased Apple technologies, components, and manufacturing processes [1].
What Apple Alleges
The complaint centers on Tang Tan, OpenAI’s Chief Hardware Officer, who spent 24 years at Apple — most recently as VP of product design for the iPhone and Apple Watch — before joining OpenAI [1]. Apple accuses Tan of using its confidential project code names during recruiting, asking job candidates to bring Apple hardware components to interviews, coaching departing Apple employees on how to evade the company’s security procedures, and soliciting details about unannounced products [1].
A second named employee, Chang Liu, spent eight years at Apple as a senior systems electrical engineer before moving to OpenAI in 2026 [1]. Apple alleges Liu failed to return a company-issued laptop and used it to download confidential technical documents, including technical specifications, engineering presentations, and proprietary project data [1]. Liu is also accused of sharing that information with other Apple employees who were interviewing at OpenAI and advising at least one of them on what to study beforehand [1].
Apple says it sent OpenAI a letter in February raising these concerns and received no response [1]. Its ongoing investigation also uncovered an instance in which OpenAI allegedly used a proprietary Apple metal finishing technique after misleading a manufacturing partner into believing it had Apple’s permission to do so [1].
OpenAI’s Hardware Context
The lawsuit arrives as OpenAI is widely reported to be developing its first consumer hardware product [1]. Industry analyst Ming-Chi Kuo suggested in April that the device could be an AI-agent-driven smartphone that would compete directly with the iPhone [1]. OpenAI acquired former Apple lead designer Jony Ive’s device startup io last year in a $6.5 billion deal to support those hardware ambitions; io is named in the filing, though Ive is not [1].
What Each Side Is Saying
Apple’s complaint describes the alleged conduct in stark terms: “This is the tip of the iceberg. Apple lacks visibility into what’s been happening behind closed doors at OpenAI, where such misconduct is normalized and exemplified by leadership,” the filing states [1].
In a separate public statement, Apple said: “Recently, significant evidence has emerged suggesting individuals employed by OpenAI wrongfully took Apple’s secret and confidential information regarding our unreleased technologies, processes, and products” [1].
OpenAI responded with a statement posted on X: “We have no interest in other companies’ trade secrets. We remain focused on building innovative technology that empowers people everywhere” [1].
Apple is asking the court to bar OpenAI from using or disclosing its trade secrets, require the return of all confidential Apple materials, and preserve evidence related to the case [1]. Because Apple filed in federal court, the legal discovery process will give the company an opportunity to learn more about the full scope of the alleged operation [1].
Sources
This article was drafted with AI from the cited sources and checked against them before publication. Spot an error? Let us know.
