Apple alleges OpenAI destroyed evidence
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| Source: Mastodon | Original article
Apple alleges OpenAI destroyed evidence in a trade‑secrets lawsuit, intensifying the legal battle between the two tech giants.
Apple has taken its trade‑secrets lawsuit against OpenAI to a new level, filing a court document that accuses the AI firm of actively destroying evidence. According to the filing, OpenAI only delivered a MacBook belonging to former iPhone engineer Chang Liu after the deadline, and the device contained discussions about “destroying the types of forensic data Apple needs.” Apple further alleges that Liu downloaded a confidential Apple circuit schematic and that OpenAI has been wiping forensic material that could be crucial to the case.
The allegation follows Apple’s earlier disclosure that the same MacBook held “shocking evidence” related to the dispute, a development we reported on 2 September 2026. By claiming evidence tampering, Apple is not only seeking damages for alleged misappropriation of proprietary designs but also pressing the court to sanction OpenAI for potential spoliation. For a company whose business is built on large‑scale data handling, the accusation raises questions about its internal controls and legal compliance.
The stakes extend beyond the two firms. If a court finds OpenAI liable for evidence destruction, it could set a precedent for how AI developers must preserve and produce data in intellectual‑property litigation. The outcome may also influence ongoing regulatory scrutiny of AI companies’ data‑governance practices across Europe and the United States.
The next steps will be closely watched. OpenAI is expected to respond to the spoliation claim in a forthcoming filing, and the court may schedule a hearing on sanctions or an evidentiary hearing. Observers will also monitor whether the dispute escalates to a trial or prompts a settlement, and how the case might affect OpenAI’s broader commercial activities, including its rapidly expanding advertising business.
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