OpenAI staffer accused of planting bug was allegedly in “frequent” communication with a Saudi royal.

The suspect, Abdulrahman Alfozan, used WhatsApp to communicate with the unnamed royal throughout 2025 and 2026, according to a court filing spotted earlier by CNBC. > Among other things, the individual [Saudi Royal Family member] told the defendant [Alfozan] that an artificial intelligence initiative was being launched in Saudi Arabia and wanted the defendant to join it. Alfozan allegedly contacted the individual on October 5th, just days before he was arrested on suspicion of planting a bug in an OpenAI conference room.