Apple Accuses OpenAI of Destroying Evidence in Trade Secret Case

According to a report by Bloomberg, Apple alleges that Liu did not merely download a confidential Apple schematic but also utilized it during his tenure at OpenAI. To support these claims, Apple cites an initial forensic examination of a company-issued MacBook that Liu allegedly continued to use after joining OpenAI in January of this year. The device was only recently made available to Apple as evidence. The examination reportedly revealed that Liu and other individuals at OpenAI were aware of his continued and allegedly unauthorized access to the company's external cloud storage providers.

Apple further claims to have found evidence on the notebook indicating that Liu sent instructions to a colleague at OpenAI to destroy evidence, to which the colleague reportedly confirmed compliance. In its original complaint, Apple accused OpenAI of encouraging its employees to share information, components, drawings, and other materials related to unreleased products, while simultaneously taking steps to conceal these actions.

The legal filing also highlights delays in the production of evidence. Apple states that OpenAI took several weeks to hand over Liu's notebook. Additionally, the company alleges that Liu used a tool at OpenAI that shares the same name as an internal Apple engineering application used for development work. However, Apple has not provided evidence that it is the exact same tool or that this directly implies the use of confidential Apple technology.

In the brief, Apple is seeking damages and a court order compelling OpenAI to cease the alleged behavior and destroy all proprietary Apple materials. The company has previously asked a federal judge to immediately enjoin OpenAI from further using the allegedly stolen trade secrets. Arguments for this motion are scheduled to be heard in court on October 1, 2026.

OpenAI continues to deny the accusations, stating that it adhered to industry-standard practices when recruiting new employees. While the company does not appear to deny access to the cloud data, it claims Liu was only attempting to help a former Apple colleague. To support this narrative, OpenAI released excerpts of text messages. In its own brief filed on Monday, the company argued that all Apple documents accessed by Liu were "irrelevant" to his work at OpenAI and were opened "at the request of Apple employees and for Apple work purposes."

OpenAI also criticized Apple's "negligent procedures" regarding data security and employee offboarding, arguing these directly contributed to the current situation. The company's attorneys stated that Apple is attempting to intimidate employees who have left the firm, noting that 400 of them have since chosen a new employer. OpenAI has asked the court to significantly limit Apple's request for a preliminary injunction if one is issued at all.

The personnel shift has gained additional significance as OpenAI aims to enter the hardware device market. Reports indicate that more than 400 former Apple employees have since moved to OpenAI.