Apple Accuses OpenAI of Destroying Evidence in Trade-Secrets Case

Apple has escalated its legal battle with OpenAI, accusing the AI company of failing to preserve crucial evidence in a trade-secrets lawsuit involving former Apple engineer Chang Liu.

Apple has accused OpenAI of mishandling evidence in a lawsuit over alleged theft of confidential hardware information. [Photo: Apple]

In a recent court filing, Apple alleged that Liu, who joined OpenAI after leaving Apple, accessed a confidential Apple power-converter circuit schematic while working at OpenAI. Apple said Liu used the confidential information in March 2026 to train an AI agent.

The allegations have not been proven in court. 

Apple filed the brief in support of its request for expedited discovery in the lawsuit. The company says OpenAI only recently produced a MacBook that Liu had used after leaving Apple.

Apple said an initial forensic analysis of the computer uncovered evidence concerning Liu’s continued access to Apple-related cloud storage and alleged instructions to an OpenAI colleague concerning the destruction of evidence. 

Apple's broader lawsuit accuses former employees—including Liu and former Apple design executive Tang Tan—of misappropriating confidential information as OpenAI develops consumer hardware products.

OpenAI has rejected Apple’s accusations and is seeking dismissal of the case.

The company argues that Apple has failed to demonstrate that its employees improperly took confidential information and says Apple’s own offboarding procedures allowed former employees to retain access to certain accounts and materials. 

OpenAI has recruited approximately 400 former Apple employees for its hardware efforts, according to the company.