Apple says more ex-employees may have taken confidential data to OpenAI

Apple said Monday it is seeking a preliminary injunction in its trade secrets case against OpenAI and claims more former employees may be involved in the alleged theft. The iPhone maker filed a new court document requesting expedited discovery from OpenAI employees Chang Liu and Tang Yew Tan, the startup io, and OpenAI's foundation. Apple said its investigation has revealed 11 other former employees beyond Liu and Tan may have been witnesses or otherwise involved. The filing states another former employee met with Liu and OpenAI employee Yu-Ting Peng before Peng's interview and discussed proprietary information about unannounced products. Apple also claims a different former employee took screenshots of confidential documents before an OpenAI interview. After the complaint was filed, Apple said multiple former employees now at OpenAI reached out about returning Apple-issued work devices they kept when they left. OpenAI responded in a blog post that Apple's injunction request is based on false information and is unnecessary because it does not have or want Apple's trade secrets. OpenAI also pointed to earlier Apple mistakes, including emailing the wrong person after confusing similar surnames.