Apple has submitted new evidence in its legal battle with OpenAI, claiming that a former employee used confidential Apple information while working at OpenAI and may have attempted to conceal evidence of the alleged activity.

According to LumenCodes, the latest allegations emerged after Apple’s lawyers obtained a MacBook previously used by former Apple engineer Chang Liu, who later joined OpenAI. The laptop was handed over for forensic examination earlier this month.

Apple’s New Allegations

Apple claims its investigation uncovered indications that Liu used a confidential Apple circuit schematic during his work at OpenAI. The company also alleges that Liu used a development tool whose name matched an internal Apple engineering application.

Apple further argues that OpenAI was aware that Liu had access to sensitive company information.

The company has also accused Liu of involving OpenAI colleague Yu-Ting Peng in efforts to delete or destroy potential evidence after Liu learned that Apple was investigating his activities.

Apple described the laptop as important evidence supporting its position that the company is not conducting a broad or speculative investigation, but instead has reason to believe its confidential technology may have been used improperly.

What Was Found on the Laptop?

The specific evidence Apple submitted remains largely redacted from the public court record, meaning the full details of the alleged files and activity have not been disclosed.

However, previous court filings have already included messages allegedly sent by Liu that suggested he knew he still had access to Apple’s internal files after leaving the company.

Those earlier messages have become an important part of Apple's argument that Liu's access to Apple's systems continued after his departure.

OpenAI Disputes Apple’s Claims

OpenAI has previously defended Liu, arguing that his access to Apple files after leaving the company was related to helping former colleagues who requested his assistance.

The AI company has also pushed back against Apple's explanation for Liu's continued access. OpenAI argued that former employees retaining some level of access can result from Apple's own failure to properly revoke permissions when employees leave.

Apple strongly disputes that explanation.

The Authentication Bug Dispute

Apple claims Liu's continued access was not simply the result of an ordinary offboarding mistake. Instead, the company alleges that he exploited a previously unknown authentication vulnerability that allowed him to continue accessing confidential Apple information.

That distinction could become significant as the case develops.

If Apple can establish that Liu deliberately exploited a security flaw to obtain proprietary information after joining OpenAI, the allegations could become considerably more serious than a simple case of leftover account permissions.

A Larger Fight Over AI Talent

The dispute highlights a growing problem in the technology industry: valuable employees moving between competing companies while carrying knowledge of highly sensitive technologies with them.

AI companies compete aggressively for engineers and researchers, while established technology companies are increasingly concerned that proprietary designs, internal tools, and trade secrets could follow employees to their new workplaces.

The case between Apple and OpenAI could therefore have implications well beyond the two companies, particularly around how organizations protect confidential information when employees move to competitors.

For now, Apple's strongest claims remain allegations being contested in court, while the most significant portions of the newly submitted evidence remain sealed or redacted.