Apple sues OpenAI over alleged trade secret theft

Liu then allegedly downloaded dozens of confidential files, including engineering presentations, technical specifications, and proprietary project data, while actively developing hardware for OpenAI.

Apple further alleges he coached the Apple employee, identified as Alyssa Peng, on how to copy confidential files “to avoid trouble with the security team,” and directed her to communicate privately over the LINE Messenger app to avoid detection. Peng departed Apple for OpenAI in April 2026.

Hardware chief’s ‘show and tell’ sessions

Tan, who spent 24 years at Apple before becoming OpenAI’s Chief Hardware Officer, faces separate but related allegations.

Apple claims Tan used Apple’s internal project codenames during job interviews to probe candidates about confidential, unreleased products, and directed candidates to bring physical hardware components. This includes batteries, circuit boards, and product samples to interviews for what Apple describes as “show and tell” sessions.

The complaint also alleges Tan distributed an internal Apple document marked “Need to Know,” detailing the company’s employee departure security procedures, to incoming OpenAI hires before they had notified Apple of their resignations.