Removed! Apple chip manufacturer to leak iPhone 18 processor secrets

The TSMC, the world’s most advanced chipmaker and the head supplier of Apple, have fired several employees to steal confidential information related to their upcoming 2-nanomatre chip technology. The next generation chip process is expected to power Apple’s A20 processor in the iPhone 18 series set to launch next year.

According to a report in Nikkei Asia, violations were discovered through internal surveillance systems, which flagged abnormal access activity for highly sensitive development data. An internal investigation confirmed deliberate efforts to end trade secrets. The implicated employees were immediately rejected, and legal action has been initiated. Taiwan’s prosecutors are now involved, and criminal allegations are being considered.

While TSMC has not disclosed the exact nature of the theft information, the sources suggest the efforts focused on the main elements of its 2Nm chip construction process. This technique represents not only for the global leadership of TSMC, but also a major jump in efficiency and performance for Taiwan’s strategic position in the semiconductor race.

Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo believes that Apple will be one of the first to use the new 2Nm node, with the A20 chip likely to be facilitated in all iPhone 18 models. This will mark a significant upgrade not only for Pro variants, not only for Pro variants.

The leak is not considered to include apple’s proprietary designs, but the overall process of the TSMC targets innovations, which form the foundation for the future Apple silicon. Nevertheless, the incident highlights the increasing dangers of IP theft in the semiconductor industry, where the competition is intense and the bets are more.

TSMC has stated that it will push for maximum punishment against those involved. Protecting its intellectual property, the company said, its constant dominance and national security interests are important.