https://9to5mac.com/2025/08/05/tsmc-says-employees-tried-to-steal-trade-secrets-on-iphone-18-chip-process/ Skip to main content Toggle main menu Go to the 9to5Mac home page Switch site * 9to5Toys * 9to5Google * Electrek * DroneDJ * Space Explored * About * Privacy * * * * * * * * * * * Toggle social menu * * * Toggle dark mode Search for: [ ] Submit Toggle search form * Exclusives * Store * Podcasts + Apple@Work + Happy Hour + 9to5Mac Daily + Runtime * Vision + Vision Pro + visionOS + Hands-on * iPhone + iPhone + iPhone 14 + iPhone 15 + iPhone 16 + iOS 18 * Mac + Mac + MacBook Pro + MacBook Air + iMac + Mac mini + Mac Studio + Mac Pro + macOS Sequoia * Watch + Apple Watch + Apple Watch Ultra + Apple Watch Ultra 2 + Apple Watch Series 10 + Apple Health + Apple Watch SE + watchOS 11 * iPad + iPad Pro + iPad Air + iPad mini + iPad + iPadOS + iPadOS 18 * Music and TV + Apple Music + AirPods + HomePod + Apple TV + tvOS 18 * Guides + Reviews + How Tos + AAPL + Apple Store + Apple Arcade + Apple Card + Apple Silicon + Apple One + Apple Fitness+ + CarPlay + Siri + HomeKit * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Toggle dark mode * TSMC * iPhone 18 TSMC says employees tried to steal trade secrets on iPhone 18 chip process Avatar for Ben Lovejoy Ben Lovejoy | Aug 5 2025 - 5:19 am PT 1 Comment TSMC says employees tried to steal trade secrets on iPhone 18 chip process | Photo shows the inside of a hard drive Apple chipmaker TSMC has said that several then-employees tried to steal trade secrets relating to the company's most advanced chip process. TSMC fired the individuals concerned and is now taking legal action against them. The former employees may also face criminal prosecution. The report relates to the company's 2-nanometer chip process, which is expected to be used for the A20 chips across next year's iPhone 18 lineup ... TSMC 2nm process expected to debut in iPhone 18 TSMC leads the world in the most advanced chip processes, and is next year expected to use its 2nm technology for the A20 chips used in the iPhone 18 range. Apple typically gets access to TSMC's most advanced chip processes ahead of the company's other customers. Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has suggested that the new chip will be used for all iPhone 18 models, not just the two Pro ones. TSMC says employees tried to steal trade secrets Nikkei Asia reports that TSMC accused several former employees of attempting to obtain secret information about its 2nm chip development and production process. Several former employees of TSMC are suspected of attempting to obtain critical proprietary information on 2-nanometer chip development and production while working at the company, according to multiple sources familiar with the matter. In response to Nikkei Asia's questions, TSMC said that it recently "detected unauthorized activities during routine monitoring, leading to the discovery of potential trade secret leaks." The world's top chipmaker said on Monday it took "strict disciplinary actions against the personnel involved and has initiated legal proceedings." The attempt was detected by spotting "unusual access patterns" on the part of one of the employees. The report says there could even be national security implications, as the Taiwanese government takes extremely seriously the protection of advanced technology developed within the country. Prosecutors have confirmed that they are investigating, and TSMC says that it will seek prosecution to the fullest extent of the law. No details have been shared on the nature of the information obtained. It is likely that it relates to the 2nm process in general rather than anything specific to Apple's A20 chip. Highlighted accessories * Official Apple Store on Amazon * Anker 511 Nano Pro ultra-compact iPhone charger * Spigen MagFit case for iPhone 16e - adds MagSafe support * Apple MagSafe Charger with 25w power for iPhone 16 models * Apple 30W charger for above * Anker 240W braided USB-C to USB-C cable Photo by Patrick Lindenberg on Unsplash Add 9to5Mac to your Google News feed. FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More. [BMX-Mac-925-banner-1] You're reading 9to5Mac -- experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Don't know where to start? 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He's known for his op-eds and diary pieces, exploring his experience of Apple products over time, for a more rounded review. He also writes fiction, with two technothriller novels, a couple of SF shorts and a rom-com! --------------------------------------------------------------------- Ben Lovejoy's favorite gear Dell 49-inch curved monitor Dell 49-inch curved monitor