Tata Electronics iPhone Plant in India Hit by Cyberattack, Apple and Tesla Data Leaked
Tata Electronics has confirmed it detected a cybersecurity incident affecting part of its systems, following the emergence of documents allegedly containing design specifications for Apple and Tesla products. The ransomware group World Leaks reportedly published more than 200,000 files on the dark web.
Tata, which now accounts for roughly one-third of iPhone production in India, stated the incident was identified several weeks ago and that its response protocols were immediately activated. The company said business operations were not impacted and continue as normal. Sources familiar with the matter told Reuters that Apple is conducting an investigation into the data leak and that Tata received a ransom demand.
Among the leaked data is a 52-page document purportedly detailing quality inspection standards for iPhone circuit board components. Other files reference Hosur, the location of Tata’s main iPhone assembly plant in Tamil Nadu state. Industry sources said Tata informed some employees at the iPhone facility about the breach last week.
Apple has not yet responded to requests for comment. Tata Electronics declined to comment on the ransom demand. The breach represents the latest challenge for Apple’s supply chain in India, where Tata has also faced scrutiny over alleged pollution of farmland near one of its component factories.
Tata has grown into one of Apple’s most important manufacturing partners outside China, a key part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ambition to make India a global electronics manufacturing hub. This is not the group’s first cyberattack; last year, Jaguar Land Rover in the UK suffered an incident that halted production for six weeks.
India’s Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) has not yet responded to requests for comment. In addition to supplying Apple, industry sources said Tata also manufactures certain components for Tesla. One folder in the leaked database, labelled “NV36 Chargeport Controller - North America,” is believed to refer to a component used in the latest version of the Tesla Model Y SUV. Another document marked “TRADE SECRET” and dated 2023 contains technical drawings for Project Highland, the internal codename for the refreshed Model 3 sedan. Tesla has also not commented on the matter.