Apple alleges OpenAI destroyed evidence in trade secrets lawsuit

Apple has asked a court to grant expedited discovery in its lawsuit against OpenAI, arguing that OpenAI is actively destroying evidence. In a Monday filing, Apple alleged that OpenAI only recently turned over a MacBook used by a former Apple employee who now works at OpenAI. Apple claims the laptop contained discussions about destroying "the types of forensic data Apple needs" for its investigation.

The former employee, identified as Chang Liu, allegedly kept a company-owned MacBook after leaving Apple. Apple says OpenAI possessed the laptop since July but only provided it to Apple on August 21. Once inspected, Apple alleges Liu had downloaded a confidential Apple circuit schematic and used it in his work at OpenAI. Apple also claims Liu and others at OpenAI were aware of his continued access to Apple’s third-party cloud storage system.

Apple’s filing cites messages in which Liu allegedly discussed the need to "restore" and then "start using" Apple-owned devices after learning of Apple’s internal investigation in June. Apple argues that transient forensic artifacts—such as logs, metadata, and usage records—are at risk of being lost, overwritten, or destroyed, heightening the need for expedited discovery.

OpenAI responded in its own filing, calling the dispute "a mess of Apple’s own making" and arguing that Apple’s employee exit process is flawed. OpenAI maintains there is no evidence Liu accessed Apple information improperly or for an improper purpose, and claims Liu has no use for Apple confidential information.