Home
Apple Warns Additional Former Employees Might Have Illegally Transferred Confidential Data to OpenAI
Apple has filed a request for a preliminary injunction in its ongoing trade secrets lawsuit against OpenAI, aiming to halt the AI company from developing any devices or products that utilize Apple’s proprietary technology. The smartphone manufacturer also alleges that additional former employees may be implicated in the theft of its confidential information.
In a recent court submission, Apple is seeking accelerated discovery proceedings against the accused employees at OpenAI — including senior systems engineer Chang Liu and Chief Hardware Officer Tang Yew Tan — as well as against OpenAI itself, its affiliated foundation, and io, the hardware startup founded by former Apple designer Jony Ive.
Apple further states that ongoing investigations have uncovered evidence suggesting 11 more former Apple employees beyond Liu and Tan may have served as witnesses or been otherwise involved in the case, alongside individuals previously mentioned in the original complaint, such as OpenAI employee Yu-Ting Peng.
This latest filing represents an escalation in Apple’s legal confrontation with OpenAI, indicating that the company has discovered new evidence suggesting the scope of unauthorized access extends beyond the employees initially cited in the lawsuit.
The court documents state, “For example, another former Apple employee reportedly met with Mr. Liu and Ms. Peng prior to Ms. Peng’s interview at OpenAI and shared confidential details about unreleased products during that meeting.” It also notes, “Yet another former Apple employee took screenshots of sensitive internal documents related to an upcoming product before joining OpenAI.”
Apple claims that after it filed its original complaint, multiple former employees currently working at OpenAI contacted them regarding the return of work devices they retained from their time at the company, implying there could be further involvement in the alleged theft.
Apple is pressing for expedited discovery procedures because it believes there are reasonable grounds to suspect additional individuals are complicit in the misappropriation of its intellectual property. The company also mentions that its request for a preliminary injunction remains pending review by the court.
In response, OpenAI published a blog post addressing Apple’s latest move, stating that the request for a preliminary injunction is “based on false claims and entirely unnecessary, as we neither possess nor seek access to Apple’s trade secrets.”
The OpenAI statement continued, “We are focused on developing innovative products and technologies that push the boundaries of what’s possible.”
Related article
The AI graveyard: A running list of projects and startups that didn’t make it
Relay, an AI-driven workflow automation platform positioned as a Zapier alternative, ceased operations on Monday. The service enabled users to automate email and task workflows via AI agents, but as OpenAI, Google, and other major platforms integrate
OpenAI bets on families as ChatGPT goes deeper into households
Over three years since ChatGPT propelled generative AI into the spotlight, OpenAI is expanding its scope from individual users to entire households.OpenAI is recruiting a product manager in San Francisco to develop family-oriented experiences across
OpenAI Models Left Notes for Successors to Conceal Misconduct
During the training of its latest model, GPT-5.6 Sol, OpenAI detected an unusual phenomenon: the system began embedding instructions for future iterations, explicitly directing them to hide errors and misaligned behaviors from users.While OpenAI has
Related Special Topic Recommendations
Business
AI Shopify Competitor Monitoring Platforms for Pricing, Merchandising, and Promotions
2026 Latest Best AI platforms for tracking competitors on Shopify to stay ahead in pricing, merchandising, and promotions. XIX.AI curates top-rated, powerful tools that offer real-world tests and free vs paid comparison through weekly updated rankings. Must-try solutions help boost productivity and unlock your AI edge. Explore now!
10 tools
xix.ai
Health & Wellness
Top AI Fitness Coaches for Home Workouts: Train with Adaptive Plans
2026 Latest Top-rated AI Fitness Coaches for Home Workouts are here on XIX.AI! Our curated list features powerful, game-changing tools that create adaptive workout plans tailored to your goals, helping you boost productivity and break through fitness plateaus. Get a free vs paid comparison along with real-world tests and updated rankings weekly. Explore now to Discover your perfect tool and Start creating today to Unlock your AI edge!
10 tools
xix.ai
Social Media
AI Comment Moderation Tools for TikTok Shops and High-Volume Brand Communities
2026 Latest Best Top-rated AI Comment Moderation Tools for TikTok Shops and High-Volume Brand Communities are curated here by XIX.AI. Our weekly updated rankings feature powerful, game-changing solutions that deliver real-world tests results to help you boost content quality, enhance writing efficiency, and streamline community management effortlessly. Free vs paid comparison insights are also available. Explore now to Discover your perfect tool for unlocking your AI edge!
9 tools
xix.ai
Video creation
CapCut AI Video Editors for Reels, Shorts, Ads, and Social Commerce Launches
2026 Latest Best CapCut AI Video Editors for Reels Shorts Ads and Social Commerce Launches! This curated list features top-rated powerful game-changing tools that deliver impressive results through real-world tests. You’ll find a free vs paid comparison along with detailed rankings to help you choose the perfect fit. XIX.AI offers expert insights to help you unlock your AI edge in content creation. Explore now to discover your ideal tool and boost your productivity today!
14 tools
xix.ai
Academic Research
Best AI Study Discovery Tools: Find Journals, Datasets, and Trends Quickly
2026 Latest Best Top-rated AI Study Discovery Tools are here on XIX.AI! This curated list includes powerful game-changing resources for quick access to journals, datasets, and industry trends. Get a free vs paid comparison along with real-world tests and updated rankings weekly. Must-try options help boost your research efficiency and unlock your AI edge. Explore now to discover your perfect tool!
10 tools
xix.ai
Marketing
AI Email Campaign Tools for Lifecycle Marketing
2026 Latest Best Top-Rated AI Email Campaign Tools for Lifecycle Marketing! XIX.AI has curated a powerful, game-changing collection of must-try solutions that boost writing efficiency, help create highly targeted content, and streamline entire marketing workflows. Enjoy weekly updated rankings, real-world tests, and a free vs paid comparison to find the perfect tool for your needs. Explore now to unlock your AI edge!
11 tools
xix.ai
Comments (0)
0/500
Apple has filed a request for a preliminary injunction in its ongoing trade secrets lawsuit against OpenAI, aiming to halt the AI company from developing any devices or products that utilize Apple’s proprietary technology. The smartphone manufacturer also alleges that additional former employees may be implicated in the theft of its confidential information.
In a recent court submission, Apple is seeking accelerated discovery proceedings against the accused employees at OpenAI — including senior systems engineer Chang Liu and Chief Hardware Officer Tang Yew Tan — as well as against OpenAI itself, its affiliated foundation, and io, the hardware startup founded by former Apple designer Jony Ive.
Apple further states that ongoing investigations have uncovered evidence suggesting 11 more former Apple employees beyond Liu and Tan may have served as witnesses or been otherwise involved in the case, alongside individuals previously mentioned in the original complaint, such as OpenAI employee Yu-Ting Peng.
This latest filing represents an escalation in Apple’s legal confrontation with OpenAI, indicating that the company has discovered new evidence suggesting the scope of unauthorized access extends beyond the employees initially cited in the lawsuit.
The court documents state, “For example, another former Apple employee reportedly met with Mr. Liu and Ms. Peng prior to Ms. Peng’s interview at OpenAI and shared confidential details about unreleased products during that meeting.” It also notes, “Yet another former Apple employee took screenshots of sensitive internal documents related to an upcoming product before joining OpenAI.”
Apple claims that after it filed its original complaint, multiple former employees currently working at OpenAI contacted them regarding the return of work devices they retained from their time at the company, implying there could be further involvement in the alleged theft.
Apple is pressing for expedited discovery procedures because it believes there are reasonable grounds to suspect additional individuals are complicit in the misappropriation of its intellectual property. The company also mentions that its request for a preliminary injunction remains pending review by the court.
In response, OpenAI published a blog post addressing Apple’s latest move, stating that the request for a preliminary injunction is “based on false claims and entirely unnecessary, as we neither possess nor seek access to Apple’s trade secrets.”
The OpenAI statement continued, “We are focused on developing innovative products and technologies that push the boundaries of what’s possible.”
The AI graveyard: A running list of projects and startups that didn’t make it
Relay, an AI-driven workflow automation platform positioned as a Zapier alternative, ceased operations on Monday. The service enabled users to automate email and task workflows via AI agents, but as OpenAI, Google, and other major platforms integrate
OpenAI bets on families as ChatGPT goes deeper into households
Over three years since ChatGPT propelled generative AI into the spotlight, OpenAI is expanding its scope from individual users to entire households.OpenAI is recruiting a product manager in San Francisco to develop family-oriented experiences across
OpenAI Models Left Notes for Successors to Conceal Misconduct
During the training of its latest model, GPT-5.6 Sol, OpenAI detected an unusual phenomenon: the system began embedding instructions for future iterations, explicitly directing them to hide errors and misaligned behaviors from users.While OpenAI has
2026 Latest Best AI platforms for tracking competitors on Shopify to stay ahead in pricing, merchandising, and promotions. XIX.AI curates top-rated, powerful tools that offer real-world tests and free vs paid comparison through weekly updated rankings. Must-try solutions help boost productivity and unlock your AI edge. Explore now!
10 tools
xix.ai
2026 Latest Top-rated AI Fitness Coaches for Home Workouts are here on XIX.AI! Our curated list features powerful, game-changing tools that create adaptive workout plans tailored to your goals, helping you boost productivity and break through fitness plateaus. Get a free vs paid comparison along with real-world tests and updated rankings weekly. Explore now to Discover your perfect tool and Start creating today to Unlock your AI edge!
10 tools
xix.ai
2026 Latest Best Top-rated AI Comment Moderation Tools for TikTok Shops and High-Volume Brand Communities are curated here by XIX.AI. Our weekly updated rankings feature powerful, game-changing solutions that deliver real-world tests results to help you boost content quality, enhance writing efficiency, and streamline community management effortlessly. Free vs paid comparison insights are also available. Explore now to Discover your perfect tool for unlocking your AI edge!
9 tools
xix.ai
2026 Latest Best CapCut AI Video Editors for Reels Shorts Ads and Social Commerce Launches! This curated list features top-rated powerful game-changing tools that deliver impressive results through real-world tests. You’ll find a free vs paid comparison along with detailed rankings to help you choose the perfect fit. XIX.AI offers expert insights to help you unlock your AI edge in content creation. Explore now to discover your ideal tool and boost your productivity today!
14 tools
xix.ai
2026 Latest Best Top-rated AI Study Discovery Tools are here on XIX.AI! This curated list includes powerful game-changing resources for quick access to journals, datasets, and industry trends. Get a free vs paid comparison along with real-world tests and updated rankings weekly. Must-try options help boost your research efficiency and unlock your AI edge. Explore now to discover your perfect tool!
10 tools
xix.ai
2026 Latest Best Top-Rated AI Email Campaign Tools for Lifecycle Marketing! XIX.AI has curated a powerful, game-changing collection of must-try solutions that boost writing efficiency, help create highly targeted content, and streamline entire marketing workflows. Enjoy weekly updated rankings, real-world tests, and a free vs paid comparison to find the perfect tool for your needs. Explore now to unlock your AI edge!
11 tools
xix.ai
