Apple Alleges Former Employee Destroyed Evidence of Data Theft for OpenAI

Apple has filed new evidence in its lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging that former employee Chang Liu used stolen Apple trade secrets in his work at OpenAI and then destroyed evidence after learning he was under investigation.

The developments emerged in 2026 after Liu’s legal counsel handed over his old Apple work laptop for investigation. Apple’s filing, submitted in late August, alleges that Liu used a confidential Apple circuit schematic at OpenAI, along with a tool that shares a name with an internal Apple engineering application. Apple also claims that in June, Liu enlisted OpenAI colleague Yu-Ting Peng to help destroy evidence once he became aware of the investigation.

“The MacBook represents the very limited information Defendants provided so far (and only after weeks of delay), and shows Apple is not conducting ‘fishing expeditions’ but that its trade secrets are being used and evidence is being destroyed,” Apple’s filing states. The new evidence has been redacted from public view, though earlier filings included text messages from Liu — punctuated with “crying laughing” emojis — showing he knew he still had access to Apple files.

OpenAI has previously argued that Liu only accessed Apple files after leaving the company to assist former colleagues who requested his help, and that Apple failed to properly manage system access when employees departed. Apple disputes this, alleging Liu maintained access by exploiting “a rare, previously unknown authentication bug.”

Apple is seeking a preliminary injunction to block OpenAI from working on hardware based on Apple’s technology while the case proceeds, as well as expedited discovery, citing concerns that additional former employees may be implicated. According to Apple’s initial filing, more than 400 former Apple employees now work at OpenAI.

TechCrunch reported that it has requested comment from OpenAI on Apple’s newest allegations.