Apple Sues OpenAI Alleging Trade Secret Theft by Former Employees
7 verified6 unconfirmed
Apple filed a lawsuit on Friday against OpenAI, accusing the company and two former employees of stealing trade secrets to advance OpenAI’s hardware plans. The lawsuit names Tang Tan, OpenAI’s chief hardware officer and a former Apple designer, and Chang Liu, a former Apple electrical engineer who left in January 2026. Apple alleges that Liu accessed Apple’s internal network after his departure and downloaded confidential hardware files, including details on unreleased products. The company also claims that Tan emailed Apple supplier information to himself before leaving and arranged for Apple employees to bring device components to interviews with OpenAI. Apple says more than 400 former Apple employees now work at OpenAI and that the company sent OpenAI a letter in February raising concerns, which OpenAI did not address. OpenAI spokesperson Drew Pusateri stated that the company has no interest in other companies’ trade secrets and focuses on building innovative technology. Apple is seeking a court order to prohibit OpenAI from using the alleged stolen information and to compel its return. The lawsuit marks a significant escalation between the two companies, whose previous partnership on integrating ChatGPT into Siri has since ended.
What’s verified
Apple filed a lawsuit on July 10, 2026, accusing OpenAI of trade secret theft.
The lawsuit names Tang Tan (OpenAI’s chief hardware officer) and Chang Liu (former Apple engineer) as defendants.
Apple alleges Liu accessed Apple’s network after his departure and downloaded confidential hardware information.
Apple alleges Tan forwarded Apple supplier information to his personal email before leaving the company.
Apple claims more than 400 former Apple employees now work at OpenAI.
Apple sent OpenAI a letter in February 2026 raising concerns, which OpenAI did not respond to.
OpenAI spokesperson Drew Pusateri said the company has no interest in other companies’ trade secrets.
Not yet confirmed
The lawsuit claims Liu exploited a previously undisclosed authentication vulnerability to access Apple’s networks (single source).
The lawsuit claims OpenAI persuaded an Apple contract manufacturer to perform a proprietary metal-finishing process by falsely claiming Apple had authorized it (single source).
The lawsuit states that Liu instructed a former colleague to use Line Messenger to avoid detection when copying files (single source).
OpenAI’s first hardware product is expected to arrive next year (single source).
The lawsuit describes the alleged misconduct as a “coordinated pattern of misconduct at an institutional level” (single source).
It is unclear what specific hardware product OpenAI is developing.
Key figures
Tang Tan (also referred to as Tang Yew Tan) – Chief Hardware Officer at OpenAI, former Apple employee.
Chang Liu – Former Apple electrical engineer, joined OpenAI in January 2026.
Drew Pusateri – OpenAI spokesperson.
Jony Ive – Founder of IO Products (mentioned in one source).
Sources: qz.com, The Verge, abcnews.com
