Apple, Tesla Supplier Tata Electronics Confirms Data
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- Tata Electronics confirmed a cybersecurity incident "a few weeks ago" after a hacker forum listed 630GB of data and 204,300+ files allegedly stolen from the company
- A TechCrunch review of sample files found what appear to be Apple supplier specifications and Tesla manufacturing documents, though authenticity could not be independently verified
- Cybersecurity researcher Rajshekhar Rajaharia said the advertised data included Outlook email conversations, SAP-related information, and documents purportedly linked to Tata's customers including Apple and Tesla
- Tata Electronics declined to answer questions about the nature of the compromised data, the number of affected individuals, whether customers were notified, or whether Apple and Tesla information was exposed
- Reuters reported that Tata informed some iPhone assembly employees last week, that Apple is investigating the incident, and that a ransom demand was made to the company
- Founded in 2020 and employing over 75,000 people, Tata Electronics entered iPhone manufacturing in 2023 via the Wistron acquisition, later acquired a 60% stake in Pegatron's Indian unit, and signed a semiconductor supply deal with Tesla in 2024
Why it matters: The breach hits a company central to global tech supply chains — Tata's partners include Apple, Tesla, Intel, and Qualcomm. Apple is already investigating per Reuters, a ransom demand was reportedly made, and Tata won't confirm whether proprietary client data was exposed in the 630GB of files now circulating.
