Apple admits to accidentally emailing wrong person at OpenAI over trade secrets lawsuit

Published August 4, 2026 1:52pm ET | Updated August 4, 2026 1:52pm ET



Apple has admitted to accidentally emailing the wrong person at OpenAI months before filing a lawsuit that accuses the artificial intelligence firm of stealing its trade secrets.

Apple sued OpenAI in July, claiming that the AI company had been hiring former Apple employees and encouraging them to steal trade secrets from their employer before joining OpenAI. In a blog post late Monday, OpenAI blasted the iPhone maker over the apparent mistake.

Already a print subscriber? Click here to login/register your account

Trusted reporting.Unlimited access.

Subscribe for full access to Washington Examiner coverage, expert political analysis, and subscriber-only journalism.

Get Unlimited Access

Already a member? Log in

Cancel anytime.