What allegations is Apple making against OpenAI?

Apple accuses OpenAI of trade secret theft, breach of contract, and unauthorized use of confidential information about unreleased products and technologies.

Which OpenAI employees are mentioned in the lawsuit?

The lawsuit names Tang Tang, former Apple VP of Product Design, and Chang Liu, a senior electrical engineer at Apple, who allegedly took confidential data when joining OpenAI.

What are the potential consequences for OpenAI if the allegations are proven?

If found liable, OpenAI may face a ban on using Apple's confidential data, mandatory return of all materials, and significant reputational damage.

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Security

Apple Sues OpenAI Over Alleged Trade Secret Theft

July 10, 2026

Photo: TechCrunch

Quick answer

Apple has filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, accusing the company of stealing trade secrets through former employees.

Apple has filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California against OpenAI, accusing the company of systematic trade secret theft. According to the lawsuit, former Apple employees who joined OpenAI allegedly exfiltrated confidential information, including unreleased product details, technical specifications, and engineering presentations.

The documents mention Tang Tang, Apple's former VP of iPhone and Apple Watch design, who allegedly used Apple's project codenames when hiring employees at OpenAI. Also named is Chang Liu, a former senior electrical engineer at Apple, who failed to return a corporate laptop and allegedly used it to download secret documents.

Apple claims that OpenAI not only collected confidential data through former employees but also used it in developing its own hardware device. The lawsuit alleges that OpenAI improperly used Apple's patented technologies, misleading partners about ownership rights.

The company is seeking an injunction to prevent OpenAI from using or disclosing the trade secrets, the return of all confidential materials, and preservation of evidence. In a statement, Apple emphasized that protecting intellectual property remains a top priority for the company.

Common questions

What allegations is Apple making against OpenAI?: Apple accuses OpenAI of trade secret theft, breach of contract, and unauthorized use of confidential information about unreleased products and technologies.
Which OpenAI employees are mentioned in the lawsuit?: The lawsuit names Tang Tang, former Apple VP of Product Design, and Chang Liu, a senior electrical engineer at Apple, who allegedly took confidential data when joining OpenAI.
What are the potential consequences for OpenAI if the allegations are proven?: If found liable, OpenAI may face a ban on using Apple's confidential data, mandatory return of all materials, and significant reputational damage.

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