Tata Electronics, a major technology supplier to Apple and Tesla, confirms a data breach has occurred

Tata Electronics, an Indian electronics and semiconductor manufacturer and a major supplier to Apple and Tesla, among other tech giants, confirmed a data breach weeks after files allegedly obtained from the company surfaced on a hacker forum.

The confirmation comes as a hacker forum listing claims to offer over 630GB of data allegedly stolen from Tata Electronics, comprising over 204,300 files. A review of sample files by TechCrunch found what appear to be Apple supplier specifications and Tesla manufacturing documents. The accuracy, source and completeness of the data cannot be independently verified.

Founded in 2020, Tata Electronics has emerged as a key player in India’s drive to expand electronics manufacturing and semiconductor production. The company operates facilities across India and employs more than 75,000 people, according to its parent company’s website. Tata has forged partnerships with global companies including Apple, ASML, Intel, Qualcomm and Tesla, as manufacturers diversify their supply chains outside China and increasingly turn to India as an alternative production hub.

Cybersecurity researcher Rajshekhar Rajaharia told TechCrunch that the data announced at the forum included Outlook email conversations, SAP-related information and documents allegedly linked to some Tata Electronics customers, including Apple and Tesla.

A Tata Electronics spokesperson confirmed the incident in a statement to TechCrunch, saying the company identified a cybersecurity incident on some of its systems “a few weeks ago” and immediately activated its response protocols. The spokesperson added that the incident “did not have any impact on our operations across companies, which have not yet been affected.”

However, the company declined to answer questions about the nature of the data breach, the number of individuals or organizations affected, whether customers had been notified, and whether any information belonging to customers such as Apple and Tesla had been exposed.

Reuters reported that Tata Electronics informed some employees at its iPhone assembly operations last week about the data breach. The report also said that Apple is investigating the incident and that a ransom demand has been made to Tata Electronics.

The breakthrough comes as the Tata group assumes an increasing role in global technology supply chains. The company entered iPhone manufacturing in 2023 by acquiring the Indian operations of Taiwanese contract manufacturer Wistron, a long-standing Apple supplier. Tata Electronics later acquired a 60% stake in the Indian unit of Pegatron, another major manufacturing partner of Apple.

Tata has also signed a semiconductor supply deal with Tesla in 2024, highlighting its expanding relationships with some of the world’s largest technology companies.

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