Apple filed a motion in September 2026 seeking “expedited discovery” in its ongoing lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging the company is actively destroying evidence tied to stolen trade secrets. The development was first reported by Bloomberg.
The lawsuit centers on three former Apple employees who joined OpenAI, most notably Chang Liu. Apple alleges Liu retained a company-owned MacBook after leaving Apple, and that OpenAI failed to inspect or hand over the device despite having it in their possession since the lawsuit began in July. OpenAI did not provide the laptop to Apple until August 21st.
Once Apple examined the MacBook, it claims to have found that Liu “not only downloaded a confidential Apple circuit schematic but also used it in his work at OpenAI.” Apple further alleges that Liu and others at OpenAI were “well-aware” of Liu’s continued access to Apple’s third-party cloud storage system.
The inspection also uncovered messages in which Liu allegedly discussed “the need to ‘restore’ and then ‘start using’ Apple-owned devices” after learning of Apple’s internal investigation in June. Apple argues this points to a deliberate effort to eliminate forensic evidence, warning that “logs, metadata, and usage records — are transient and at risk of being lost, overwritten, or destroyed.”
OpenAI disputes Apple’s characterization. In its own filing, the company called the dispute “a mess of Apple’s own making,” pointing to flaws in Apple’s employee exit process. OpenAI maintains “there is no evidence that Liu accessed any Apple information through improper means or for any improper purpose,” and states that “Liu has no use for Apple confidential information.”
The case could have significant implications for how AI companies handle proprietary information obtained through employee movement between competitors, though the outcome remains to be determined in court.
Source: The Verge