Tata Electronics confirms cyber breach amid Apple and Tesla supply chain ties
The company identified the incident weeks ago, but samples reviewed by TechCrunch appear to contain sensitive supplier and manufacturing documents, prompting investigation by Apple.
Tata Electronics, a major Indian electronics and semiconductor manufacturer, has confirmed a cybersecurity incident affecting some of its systems. The company identified the breach a few weeks ago and activated response protocols, stating that business operations remain unaffected. The confirmation follows the appearance of purportedly stolen data on a hacker forum, with claims of over 630GB of files, comprising more than 204,300 documents.
TechCrunch reviewed a sample of the files advertised on the forum, finding what appear to be Apple supplier specifications and Tesla manufacturing documents. Cybersecurity researcher Rajshekhar Rajaharia noted that the advertised data also included Outlook email conversations and SAP-related information purportedly linked to customers like Apple and Tesla. The authenticity, provenance, and completeness of the data could not be independently verified.
A Tata Electronics spokesperson confirmed the incident in a statement to TechCrunch, noting that the company had immediately activated its response protocols upon discovery. However, the company declined to answer questions regarding the nature of the compromised data, the number of affected individuals or organisations, whether customers had been notified, or whether client information belonging to Apple and Tesla was exposed.
Reuters reported that Tata Electronics informed some employees at its iPhone assembly operations about the breach last week. The report also indicated that Apple is investigating the incident and that a ransom demand has been made to Tata Electronics. Apple and Tesla did not respond to TechCrunch’s requests for comment.
Founded in 2020, Tata Electronics employs more than 75,000 people and has become a key player in India’s push to expand electronics manufacturing and semiconductor production. The company entered iPhone manufacturing in 2023 by acquiring the India operations of Wistron, a longtime Apple supplier, and later acquired a 60% stake in the Indian unit of Pegatron. It also signed a semiconductor supply deal with Tesla in 2024, highlighting its expanding relationships with global technology companies as supply chains diversify beyond China.
