GoKawiilis a news writer who covers the streaming wars, consumer tech, crypto, social media, and much more. Previously, she was a writer and editor at MUO.
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When Apple employees interviewed for jobs at OpenAI, the AI startup’s hardware head allegedly asked them to show up with something unusual: components they were working on and unreleased product samples. That’s according to a blockbuster lawsuit filed by Apple, which accuses OpenAI of stealing confidential documents, spying on hardware prototypes, and tricking one of its trusted partners into performing a proprietary product design technique.
The lawsuit primarily revolves around the alleged actions of three people:
Tang Tan, a 24-year Apple veteran who recently served as the vice president of the Apple Watch. In 2024, Tan left to work on Jony Ive’s hardware company, io, which was acquired by OpenAI last year . OpenAI then appointed Tan as chief hardware officer.
Chang Liu: A former Apple employee who worked as a systems electrical engineer on the iPhone for over eight years. Liu joined OpenAI in January 2026 as a member of technical staff.
Yu-Ting “Alyssa” Peng: A former Apple employee who joined OpenAI in April 2026.
They’re accused of being part of an ongoing scheme to steal Apple’s secrets as OpenAI plans its first AI hardware device, which is supposed to be coming next year.
Here are the most surprising claims in Apple’s 41-page filing.
Liu allegedly kept an Apple-owned computer, allowing him to download dozens of confidential files
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