Apple is “concerned” by a recent data leak from Tata Electronics, one of its manufacturing partners in India, reports Reuters. Tata Electronics has been the target of a cyberattack, with confidential Apple documents stolen and shared on the dark web.
Hackers were able to steal information about the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, including a list of suppliers, spare parts, and images of the devices. Detailed documents with component design and specifications have been leaked, and previous reports suggested that some of the leaked data included emails, event logs, documents from TSMC and Qualcomm, and information about older iPhones.
Reuters says at least six files show “hundreds” of components of the iPhone 18 Pro, including details of the main circuit board chips and battery and camera components. The leaked files feature “confidential” Apple watermarks and Apple codenames for the iPhone 18 Pro models, as well as images of the iPhones during drop testing.
The images depict a “gray slab-shaped handset with a triple rear camera setup and an Apple logo,” according to Reuters. Rumors suggest the iPhone 18 Pro will look a lot like the iPhone 17 Pro, with few design differences beyond a slimmed-down dynamic island.
Tata supplies some iPhone parts and also assembles some iPhones in India. This is a growing supplier as Apple works to diversify its manufacturing away from China. The data also links suppliers to iPhone parts, information Apple does not share.
Tata Electronics revealed the attack last week, saying it detected a cybersecurity incident after it became clear that the World Leaks ransom group had shared more than 200,000 files containing information about Apple and Tesla. The files have been circulating on the dark web since at least June 10.
The manufacturer restricted internal access to sensitive systems and hired a global consultant to conduct a forensic audit, but Reuters suggests the incident could upset Apple and endanger its relationship with Tata. Apple is investigating the incident and working with Tata on long-term measures to improve security.
