New Delhi: The Government of India is probing the reported cyber incident involving Tata Electronics after claims emerged that confidential data connected to Apple’s upcoming iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max models may have been leaked. The investigation is being carried out by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.
MeitY Begins Probe
Responding to queries on whether the matter is being treated as a cybercrime investigation, MeitY Secretary S. Krishnan said, “We are investigating,” according to news agency ANI.
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The development follows reports that files allegedly stolen in a ransomware attack on Tata Electronics surfaced on the dark web. The leaked material is said to contain sensitive information related to Apple’s supply chain, including component lists, supplier details and photographs of unreleased iPhone 18 Pro devices.
Reports based on reviewed documents and sources familiar with the matter suggest that the leaked data includes files mapping several components used in Apple’s upcoming devices to their respective suppliers.
Supplier Data Under Scanner
The information reportedly covers key parts such as circuit board chips, battery components and camera modules. The documents are also said to detail hundreds of components expected to be used in the iPhone 18 Pro lineup.
The alleged leak could expose Apple’s sourcing strategy, including components procured from multiple suppliers and those dependent on a limited number of vendors. Industry observers say such information may be valuable to competitors, counterfeiters and suppliers seeking strategic intelligence on Apple’s manufacturing ecosystem.
The alleged exposure also raises concerns about the security of global technology supply chains, particularly as Apple continues to expand manufacturing partnerships in India.
Supply Chain Security Concerns
Tata Electronics has become an increasingly important partner for Apple in recent years, supporting component manufacturing and iPhone assembly as Apple diversifies production beyond China.
The reported breach, if confirmed, could bring additional scrutiny to cybersecurity protocols across supplier networks. Tata Electronics has previously said its operations remained unaffected by the cybersecurity incident.
Apple is expected to launch the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max models in September. The alleged leak comes at a sensitive time for the company, which is already navigating component costs and supply chain pressures.
The government has not shared further details on the scope of the probe. Officials are expected to examine whether any sensitive data was accessed, compromised or circulated through unauthorised channels. Cyber forensic analysis and security assessments are expected to form part of the investigation.
