Toilet Paper Spy: OpenAI Engineer Faces 5‑Year Prison and $250K Fine Over Hidden Camera

OpenAI’s security team uncovered a tiny recording device hidden inside a roll of toilet‑paper in one of its top‑secret conference rooms. The gadget, described as a “sophisticated” piece of equipment, was discovered during a routine audit of the space.

A maintenance worker first flagged the roll because it felt unusually stiff, prompting investigators to peel back the layers and reveal the concealed camera. The device’s casing mimicked the texture of ordinary toilet‑paper, making it difficult to spot.

Federal authorities have now charged the engineer who placed the device with foreign‑spy violations. The engineer faces up to five years in prison and a $250K fine, and the FBI has formally filed the espionage charges.

The discovery comes on the heels of the arrest of a Saudi OpenAI employee after a similar recording device was found at the company’s headquarters, adding another chapter to OpenAI’s growing list of privacy concerns.

In a statement, the FBI warned that the case underscores the ongoing threat of foreign operatives targeting sensitive technology firms.