India govt says it is investigating data leak affecting Tata Electronics which led to disclosure of some iPhone 18 Pro documents on dark web - officia...

India's government has confirmed it is investigating a data breach at Tata Electronics, a key supplier for Apple, which has resulted in the exposure of some iPhone 18 Pro documents on the dark web, an official stated. The breach, attributed to a ransomware group known as World Leaks, involved publication of over 200,000 files, including supplier lists, component details, and internal communications.

The leaked data reportedly includes confidential manufacturing specifications and photographs of iPhone prototypes undergoing testing at Tata facilities. These files, which contain sensitive information about Apple's upcoming iPhone 18 Pro models, were obtained from Tata Electronics, a major contract manufacturer for Apple in India. The breach has raised concerns about supply chain security and the potential impact on Apple's competitive advantage.

Tata Electronics has restricted internal access to sensitive systems and engaged a global consultant to conduct a forensic audit. Apple, which has been shifting production to India as part of its strategy to diversify beyond China, is also reportedly investigating the incident. India's growing role in iPhone manufacturing—accounting for 26% of global production in 2026—has made Tata an increasingly critical partner for Apple.

The breach highlights the vulnerabilities in supply chain security and the challenges of managing sensitive data across global operations. Both Apple and Tata have yet to confirm the authenticity of the leaked documents.