Apple sues OpenAI over alleged trade‑secret theft

Apple filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California accusing OpenAI, its partner io Products, and former Apple engineers Chang Liu and Tang Tan of misappropriating Apple’s trade secrets to boost OpenAI’s nascent consumer‑hardware program [2].

At a glance

Allegations and alleged methods

Apple’s complaint says Liu, a senior system electrical engineer who left Apple in January 2026 after eight years, exploited a security bug to download a “compilation of technical files” exceeding a thousand pages, including detailed manufacturing documents for Apple hardware [2]. Tang Tan, who served as Apple’s VP of product design before departing in February 2024, is accused of using insider knowledge to interrogate job candidates, prompting them to bring actual Apple prototypes and “CAD/design artifacts” to OpenAI interviews. Apple alleges Tan also shared an internal “Need to Know” document outlining Apple’s departure security protocols with new OpenAI hires [2].

OpenAI’s response, posted by Director of Strategic Communications Drew Pusateri on X, denies any interest in other companies’ trade secrets and frames the claim as unfounded [1]. The lawsuit also references a prior dispute: io Products, the Jony Ive‑led startup acquired by OpenAI for $6.5 billion last year, was sued earlier in 2026 for alleged branding infringement and later for trade‑secret misappropriation [1].

Context for OpenAI’s hardware push

OpenAI’s hardware ambitions have been public since its acquisition of io Products, which brought over 50 engineers and positioned the firm to develop consumer devices such as a rumored smartphone slated for 2028 and a HomePod‑style speaker [2]. The lawsuit arrives amid reports that OpenAI is preparing its first consumer hardware product, a move that could diversify its revenue beyond cloud services. Apple’s claim that the alleged misconduct is “the tip of the iceberg” underscores the company’s concern that former staff are leveraging Apple’s proprietary processes to accelerate OpenAI’s hardware timeline [2].

The legal action also follows Bloomberg reporting that OpenAI was considering legal steps against Apple over its integration of ChatGPT into Siri—a separate dispute not addressed in the current filing [2]. The convergence of these disputes highlights a broader tension as AI firms seek deeper integration with consumer hardware ecosystems.

What to watch

• Court filings and motions – Further pleadings may reveal additional defendants or clarify the scope of alleged stolen materials.
• OpenAI hardware timeline – Any announced launch dates for OpenAI’s consumer devices could be delayed or altered by the litigation.
• Apple‑OpenAI partnership – Developments in the ChatGPT‑Siri integration or related licensing agreements may be impacted by the broader dispute.

The lawsuit pits Apple’s aggressive protection of its hardware IP against OpenAI’s rapid expansion into consumer devices, raising questions about how AI firms will navigate proprietary technology when recruiting talent from established hardware leaders.