Apple, Tesla trade secrets allegedly exposed in Tata Electronics hack

Tata Electronics has confirmed that it suffered a data breach involving sensitive documents associated with both Apple and Tesla. A report from Reuters reveals that a ransomware group, known as World Leaks, has claimed responsibility for publishing these documents, asserting they were pilfered from Tata Electronics. The leaked materials reportedly contain crucial component designs and technical specifications. More than 200,000 files have allegedly been uploaded to the dark web, though it remains unclear whether these documents are authentic or if they indeed reveal proprietary information belonging to Apple and Tesla. In response to the breach, Tata Electronics stated, "A few weeks ago, we identified a cybersecurity incident on some of our systems. Our response protocols were deployed immediately, and the incident has had no impact on our operations across businesses, which remain unaffected." Apple is currently investigating the extent of the data breach to determine what specific information may have been compromised and the potential ramifications. According to sources familiar with the situation, Tata Electronics also received a ransom demand, which threatened to release or fail to delete the stolen data. The breach could pose significant challenges for Apple’s manufacturing operations in India, as Tata Electronics plays a vital role in the company's efforts to diversify production away from China. The leaked data includes over 630 GB of information, with indications that hackers accessed files related to Apple, such as those labeled “com.apple.factorydata,” suggesting they may have obtained manufacturing-related details. Additionally, cybersecurity expert Rajshekhar Rajaharia revealed that the compromised files include internal emails, system logs accumulated over the years, and personal documents, including copies of employee passports from both Indian and foreign staff. Among the leaked information is a 52-page document detailing inspection protocols for iPhone circuit board components. While the authenticity of these files has yet to be verified, it appears that Tesla is also affected by this incident. Researchers identified a folder named “NV36 Chargeport Controller - North America,” potentially containing information about a charging-port component for an updated Tesla Model Y. Furthermore, a 2023 document marked “TRADE SECRET” is said to include engineering drawings related to Project Highland, the internal codename for the refreshed Tesla Model 3.