Apple says ex-employee gave secret files to OpenAI

Apple says former engineer Chang Liu gave secret files to OpenAI. More than 400 former Apple employees now work at OpenAI. Many of those employees reportedly work on OpenAI's secret consumer hardware project. Apple sued OpenAI in July in the Northern District of California. The complaint alleges that Liu retained access to Apple files after leaving the company. Apple gave Liu's former work laptop to forensic examiners. The decisive exhibits remain redacted on the public docket. Apple also says Liu recruited OpenAI colleague Yu-Ting Peng to erase evidence in June. Earlier filings included text messages in which Liu responded with crying-laughing emojis. OpenAI argues that its hires did not notice their leftover access. OpenAI asked the judge to dismiss the lawsuit on August 6. OpenAI's motion argues that Apple's access controls created the exposure. OpenAI frames the employee departures as ordinary mobility rather than theft. OpenAI paid $6.5 billion for Jony Ive's startup io. Former Apple executives now run OpenAI's hardware group. Apple stock closed at $316.85 on Monday. The stock fell 0.89% that day. The shares had gained 16.38% for the year and 3.95% over the past month. Pre-market trading remained flat on Tuesday. Apple wants an injunction before OpenAI ships a device. OpenAI wants the case dismissed before discovery reaches its hardware roadmap.