Tata Electronics, a major tech supplier to Apple and Tesla, confirms data breach

Tata Electronics, an Indian electronics and semiconductor shaper and a cardinal supplier to Apple and Tesla, among different tech giants, confirmed a information breach weeks aft files purportedly obtained from the institution appeared connected a hacker forum.

The confirmation comes arsenic the hacker forum listing claims to connection much than 630GB of information allegedly stolen from Tata Electronics, comprising implicit 204,300 files. A reappraisal of a illustration of the files by TechCrunch recovered what look to beryllium Apple supplier specifications and Tesla manufacturing documents. The authenticity, provenance, and completeness of the information could not beryllium independently verified.

Founded successful 2020, Tata Electronics has emerged arsenic a cardinal subordinate successful India’s propulsion to grow electronics manufacturing and semiconductor production. The institution operates facilities crossed India and employs much than 75,000 people, per its genitor company’s website. Tata has forged partnerships with planetary companies including Apple, ASML, Intel, Qualcomm, and Tesla arsenic manufacturers diversify proviso chains beyond China and progressively crook to India arsenic an alternate accumulation hub.

Cybersecurity researcher Rajshekhar Rajaharia told TechCrunch that the information advertised connected the forum included Outlook email conversations, SAP-related information, and documents purportedly linked to immoderate of Tata Electronics’ customers, including Apple and Tesla.

A Tata Electronics spokesperson confirmed the incidental successful a connection to TechCrunch, saying the institution had identified a cybersecurity incidental connected immoderate of its systems “a fewer weeks ago” and had instantly activated its effect protocols. The spokesperson added that the incidental had “no interaction connected our operations crossed businesses, which stay unaffected.”

However, the institution declined to reply questions astir the quality of the compromised data, the fig of affected individuals oregon organizations, whether customers had been notified, and whether immoderate accusation belonging to clients specified arsenic Apple and Tesla was exposed.

Reuters reported that Tata Electronics informed immoderate employees astatine its iPhone assembly operations past week astir the information breach. The study besides said Apple was investigating the incidental and that a ransom request had been made to Tata Electronics.

The breach comes arsenic Tata Group assumes a increasing relation successful planetary exertion proviso chains. The institution entered iPhone manufacturing successful 2023 done the acquisition of the India operations of Taiwanese declaration shaper Wistron, a longtime Apple supplier. Tata Electronics aboriginal acquired a 60% involvement successful the Indian unit of Pegatron, different large Apple manufacturing partner.

Tata besides signed a semiconductor proviso deal with Tesla successful 2024, highlighting its expanding relationships with immoderate of the world’s largest exertion companies.

Apple and Tesla did not respond to TechCrunch’s requests for comment.