India: iPhone supplier with environmental problems and data leaks
India is the second most important iPhone manufacturing location. The manufacturer Tata Electronics is now in the headlines multiple times.
Logos of Apple and Tata: Apple is building significantly in India.
(Image: Ascannio / Shutterstock)
Apple's attempts to become independent from iPhone production solely in China have been successful so far. Up to 25 percent of all the manufacturer's smartphones now come from India, including numerous models sold in the USA. The most important manufacturers on the subcontinent are those that Apple also uses in the People's Republic, such as Foxconn. But large local providers are also involved, including the Indian conglomerate Tata with its subsidiary Tata Electronics. However, it is precisely this company that is now facing problems. A plant in Tamil Nadu is struggling with accusations of having contaminated the groundwater of nearby farms. Furthermore, Tata Electronics recently suffered a large-scale cyberattack, during which data from Apple is also said to have leaked.
iPhone component factory with wastewater problem
The ecological difficulties of Tata Electronics revolve around an iPhone component factory in Hosur, in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu. According to a report by Reuters, the state's Pollution Control Board, the authority responsible for combating environmental pollution, is investigating corresponding reports from farmers. They reported that the factory's wastewater had reached their land, which then led to skin issues for the people working there.
A health investigation was then carried out at the end of May. A village doctor appointed by the state found that the wastewater had an “extremely bad smell,” which led to this. Nearby water was no longer drinkable for animals. Apple did not comment on the incident. Tata Electronics stated that the Pollution Control Board had concluded the investigation without any contamination being confirmed. They had rectified all points raised by the authorities. Apple itself did not comment on the proceedings, and there were also no statements from the Pollution Control Board.
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Cyberattack also affected Tesla
A second current problem at Tata Electronics concerns data protection. According to the company's statements, an “incident” occurred in which 200,000 documents were leaked to the dark web, as CNBC reports. These primarily concern Apple, but also the e-car manufacturer Tesla.
The attack was noticed a few weeks ago. The package is said to include specifications for component design and other production information. According to CNBC, Apple is currently investigating the incident. Tata was allegedly blackmailed after the attack, but apparently nothing was paid. The data package is 630 GB in size. Among the file names is the term “com.apple.factorydata,” and manufacturing materials are also specified, and iPhone circuit boards are shown. Emails, logs, and passport copies, including those of foreigners, were also leaked, it was said. In the Tesla part of the package, the term “trade secret” appears, apparently relating to the new Model 3.
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