OpenAI said on Tuesday it had discovered a sophisticated recording device in one of its offices, allegedly planted by an employee who was later arrested and has since been fired.

The U.S. Justice Department identified the man as Abdulrahman Al-Fawzan, a 35-year-old Saudi national who had worked as an engineer on the company's product team since July 2025. He was arrested on October 9 and remains in custody.

According to the department, the device was found on September 30 during a routine sweep of a conference room. It had been plugged into a USB port behind a television screen and covered with toilet paper. OpenAI said the device had been in the room for roughly two days before it was found.

The company described it as an audio recorder equipped with advanced encryption and a data-transmission mechanism designed to evade detection. Surveillance cameras captured Al-Fawzan entering the conference room, where highly confidential discussions were taking place, and prosecutors said similar recording devices were found in his backpack.

The Justice Department alleges he used a productivity tool to gather information on OpenAI's meeting rooms, schedules and the whereabouts of senior leadership. OpenAI said it has evidence suggesting he intended to place more devices around its offices, but added that it currently has no indication he accessed or leaked models, code or customer data.

"We take protecting our technology, our data and our people seriously, and we view it as a matter of national importance," the company said.

U.S. Attorney Craig Missakian said protecting American technology companies is a matter of national security. CNN said it had reached out to Al-Fawzan for comment.