Apple shares ‘shocking evidence’ against former employee accused of stealing company data for OpenAI

Apple has filed what it describes as “shocking evidence” in its lawsuit against OpenAI to support allegations that former employees stole trade secrets. These details emerged after former Apple employee Chang Liu, now at OpenAI, surrendered his old work laptop for investigation. Apple alleges that Liu utilized confidential circuit schematics and an internal engineering application tool in his work at OpenAI. The company further claims that OpenAI was aware of Liu’s access to Apple data and that Liu enlisted a colleague, Yu-Ting Peng, to help destroy evidence once he became aware of the investigation. OpenAI has previously defended Liu, arguing that he only accessed files after leaving Apple to assist former colleagues, and criticized Apple’s system access management. Apple counters that Liu maintained access by exploiting a rare, previously unknown authentication bug. Apple is currently seeking a preliminary injunction to block OpenAI from developing hardware based on its proprietary technology.