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Saudi OpenAI employee charged; bug was wrapped in toilet paper

Prosecutors say the device sat in a USB port behind a television in an executive conference room, and the suspect is an employee, not a visitor; allegations only.

On air: Gloria Vance and Vera Bullock on BBN This Morning
Published 6:19 AM ET, Wednesday, October 14, 2026

At a glance

First reported by BBC: “Saudi employee charged with planting recording device in OpenAI office”, with reporting from Al Jazeera.
Covered on BBN on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, at 6:19 AM ET on BBN This Morning, by Gloria Vance and Vera Bullock.
Topics: Saudi, OpenAI.
BBN covered this story before: Saudi National Charged With Bugging OpenAI Office (October 14).

The real story

The reporting behind this segment. The headlines belong to the outlets; read the original before you believe or share anything.

What BBN said about it

Gloria Vance · World News AnchorIn San Francisco today, a Saudi employee of OpenAI has been formally charged, after prosecutors said a recording device was found in an executive conference room.
Gloria Vance · World News AnchorThe BBC reports the device was wrapped in toilet paper and pushed into a USB port on the back of a television.
Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorToilet paper? That's the kind of packaging that says someone cared about presentation.
Gloria Vance · World News AnchorAl Jazeera describes the man as an engineer. He has been arrested, and the company says it discovered the device itself.
Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorSo a company building the future got bugged by a tissue.