Tata Electronics Cybersecurity Incident Exposes Apple And Tesla Documents
Tata Electronics said on Monday that it had identified a recent cybersecurity incident after security researchers reported that the ransomware group World Leaks had published what appeared to be component design and specification documents linked to Apple and Tesla, both of which are customers of the Indian company.
Researchers told Reuters that the group had uploaded more than 200,000 files to the dark web. Tata Electronics stated that it detected the incident several weeks ago and immediately activated its response protocols.
According to the company, the incident has not affected business operations and all operations continue to function normally. Tata Electronics did not provide further details regarding the nature of the breach.
Meanwhile, a source familiar with the matter said Apple was investigating the incident and conducting a full analysis. The source also said Tata Electronics had received a ransom demand connected to the breach. Apple did not respond to requests for comment, while Tata Electronics declined to comment on the alleged ransom demand.
Investigation Into The Data Exposure
The incident marks another challenge for Apple’s supply chain operations in India. Tata Electronics has recently faced scrutiny over allegations of farmland contamination near one of its iPhone component manufacturing facilities.
At the same time, Tata continues to expand its role within Apple’s global manufacturing network. The company has become one of Apple’s most significant production partners outside China, supporting India’s efforts to strengthen its electronics manufacturing sector.
Last year, Tata’s British automotive subsidiary Jaguar Land Rover experienced a cyberattack that led to a six-week production stoppage.
India’s Computer Emergency Response Team, which operates under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
World Leaks Claims Responsibility
World Leaks stated on its dark web platform that it was releasing data allegedly stolen from Tata Electronics.
Reuters could not independently verify the authenticity of the files. The news agency was also unable to immediately contact the ransomware group for comment.
Information published on the World Leaks website indicated that the dataset contained more than 200,000 files with a combined size exceeding 630 gigabytes. Several folders reportedly referenced Apple-related material, including directories labelled “com.apple.factorydata” and documents associated with material specifications.
Indian cybersecurity researcher Rajshekhar Rajaharia reviewed the files and told Reuters that the collection appeared to contain emails, event logs covering several years and passport copies belonging to employees, including foreign nationals.
A second cybersecurity researcher, Rakesh Krishnan, said the leaked information had been accessible on the dark web since at least June 10.
Apple And Tesla Documents Among Files
Industry sources said Tata Electronics also manufactures components for Tesla.
Researchers identified a folder labelled “NV36 Chargeport Controller – North America”, which appeared to reference components used in an updated version of Tesla’s Model Y sport utility vehicle. Another document from 2023, marked as a trade secret, reportedly contained drawings linked to Project Highland, Tesla’s publicly known internal codename for the redesigned Model 3 sedan.
Tesla did not respond to requests for comment.
Rajaharia also reviewed the data through search functions within the leaked files. Searches for Apple reportedly returned 181 files and folders, while Tesla-related results included manufacturing specifications and an assembly document dated May 2025.
Several documents carried notices identifying the information as proprietary and confidential material belonging to Apple and Tesla.
Among the published files was a 52-page document that appeared to outline quality inspection standards for iPhone circuit board components. Researchers also identified dozens of files linked to Hosur in Tamil Nadu, where Tata operates its principal iPhone assembly facility.
According to a source familiar with the matter, Tata informed some employees involved in its iPhone assembly operations about the breach last week.
Tata Electronics currently accounts for roughly one-third of Apple’s iPhone production in India, while Foxconn produces the remainder.
With inputs from Reuters