WorkSeptember 1, 2026via The Verge AI
Apple accuses OpenAI of destroying evidence
Why it matters
A high-stakes IP dispute between two AI giants over alleged talent poaching and trade-secret theft now escalates to evidence-destruction allegations — a signal that AI talent wars have legal consequences practitioners should watch.
Key signals
- Apple filed for expedited discovery alleging OpenAI is destroying forensic evidence
- MacBook from former OpenAI employee (ex-Apple) was only recently handed over
- Device contained discussions about 'destroying forensic data'
- Lawsuit centers on three former Apple employees who joined OpenAI
- Chang Liu named as key figure in case
- Core allegation: OpenAI stole trade secrets to build an AI device
- Apple filing for expedited discovery in OpenAI lawsuit
- Allegations OpenAI actively destroyed forensic evidence
- MacBook recovered from former employee contained discussions about destroying evidence
- Core claim: OpenAI stole trade secrets to build AI device
- Chang Liu named as central figure in lawsuit
The hook
Apple alleges OpenAI is destroying forensic evidence in trade-secrets lawsuit involving three defected engineers.
Apple is pushing for "expedited discovery" in its legal battle against OpenAI over concerns the company is actively destroying evidence, as reported earlier by Bloomberg. In a filing on Monday, Apple alleges OpenAI only just handed over a MacBook used by a former employee at the center of the lawsui…