Apple alleges OpenAI destroyed evidence
apple openai
| Source: The Verge | Original article
Apple seeks expedited discovery, accusing OpenAI of destroying evidence after the AI firm only recently turned over a former employee's MacBook central to the lawsuit.
Apple has stepped up its trade‑secrets lawsuit against OpenAI, filing a motion on Monday that accuses the ChatGPT maker of actively destroying evidence. In the filing, Apple says OpenAI only just produced a MacBook belonging to former iPhone engineer Chang Liu, the employee at the centre of the case, and that the device contains “discussions about destroying the types of forensic data Apple needs.” Bloomberg reports that Apple is also demanding “expedited discovery” to prevent further loss of material it deems crucial.
The allegation follows a series of filings in which Apple claims Liu downloaded a confidential Apple circuit schematic before leaving the company. Apple’s latest move suggests it believes OpenAI is not merely withholding documents but is taking steps to erase them, a claim that could intensify the legal battle and potentially expose OpenAI to sanctions if the court finds evidence tampering.
Why it matters is twofold. First, the dispute highlights the growing tension between large tech firms over AI‑related intellectual property, with Apple asserting that its proprietary hardware designs have been misappropriated to train OpenAI’s models. Second, the case could set precedents for how courts handle evidence preservation in high‑tech trade‑secret litigation, especially where cloud‑based development and large‑scale data sets are involved.
As we reported on 1 September, Apple already accused OpenAI of using confidential Apple material and called the allegations “baseless.” The new evidence‑destruction claim marks a sharp escalation. The next steps will likely include a judge’s ruling on Apple’s request for expedited discovery and possible sanctions if OpenAI is found to have destroyed data. Both companies’ next court filings, and any settlement talks, will be closely watched by the AI and hardware sectors.
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