Apple (AAPL) Accuses OpenAI of Evidence Tampering in Trade Secrets Dispute

Key Points

Table of Contents

Apple has submitted fresh legal filings accusing OpenAI of intentionally eliminating evidence in a trade secrets dispute
Ex-Apple engineer Chang Liu is accused of downloading proprietary Apple circuit designs and utilizing them while employed at OpenAI
Digital forensics conducted on Liu’s company-issued MacBook revealed persistent unauthorized access to Apple’s cloud infrastructure following his departure
According to Apple, Liu directed an OpenAI coworker to eliminate evidence, with the colleague reportedly consenting
The case is scheduled for judicial review on October 1 before a federal judge

Apple has intensified its ongoing litigation against OpenAI by submitting fresh court filings that allege deliberate evidence destruction in a corporate espionage case.

Apple claims in a new court filing that @OpenAI is actively destroying crucial evidence in trade secrets case.

Apple's lawyers say an initial forensic analysis of an Apple-issued MacBook used by a former iPhone engineer found evidence that he and others at OpenAI were aware of… pic.twitter.com/Fs2RiZo9Gg

— Sawyer Merritt (@SawyerMerritt) August 31, 2026

The dispute revolves around Chang Liu, a former Apple hardware engineer who departed the iPhone maker in January to take a position at OpenAI. According to Apple’s filings, Liu represents just one of over 400 ex-Apple personnel currently employed by the artificial intelligence company.

The tech giant’s most recent submission was filed on Monday to bolster its request for accelerated discovery proceedings. Apple contends that rapid evidence collection is essential, suggesting additional employees may have participated in similar activities.

Forensic Examination Findings

Following its surrender to Apple’s attorneys, Liu’s company-issued MacBook underwent comprehensive forensic examination. According to Apple, the analysis produced what the company characterizes as its most compelling evidence to date.

Apple Inc., AAPL

According to the filing, Liu obtained a proprietary Apple circuit schematic document and subsequently incorporated it into projects at OpenAI. The forensic investigation also uncovered that Liu maintained active access to Apple’s external cloud storage systems well after his employment termination.

Apple contends that Liu and additional OpenAI personnel were fully cognizant of this improper access. The filing highlights that OpenAI delayed turning over the laptop for several weeks before finally complying.

The most damaging allegation involves Liu allegedly instructing an OpenAI colleague to eliminate evidence once he became aware of the investigation. The colleague, named as Yu-Ting Peng, reportedly acknowledged and agreed to follow through with the request, according to Apple’s documentation.

Apple maintains the laptop serves as proof that “trade secrets are being used and evidence is being destroyed,” representing one of the few pieces of evidence OpenAI has provided during discovery.

OpenAI Disputes Apple’s Claims

OpenAI has categorically rejected the accusations and is seeking dismissal of the entire case. The AI company maintains it adhered to conventional hiring protocols when recruiting former Apple employees.

According to OpenAI’s defense, Liu only accessed Apple’s files post-employment to provide assistance to previous coworkers who had requested his help. The company has provided text message exchanges as supporting documentation.

OpenAI has additionally asserted that Liu’s ongoing access resulted from Apple’s failure to properly revoke system credentials upon his exit. Conversely, Apple maintains Liu took advantage of “a rare, previously unknown authentication bug.”

Apple contends OpenAI has consistently delayed providing evidence throughout the litigation process.

Apple’s filing also alleges Liu utilized a software tool at OpenAI bearing an identical name to a proprietary Apple engineering application. The filing does not elaborate on the nature or function of this tool.

Relations between Apple and OpenAI have deteriorated significantly over recent months. The friction intensified following OpenAI’s recruitment of former Apple design executive Jony Ive to assist in developing consumer hardware products.

Reports indicate OpenAI’s inaugural hardware offering will be a doughnut-shaped intelligent speaker roughly the size of a hockey puck, featuring mechanical components.

Apple is pursuing financial compensation and requesting a judicial injunction preventing OpenAI from utilizing any misappropriated intellectual property.

The federal judge overseeing the case will consider Apple’s expedited discovery motion during an October 1 hearing.

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