ASML Acquires Chip data allegedly “misappropriated” by a former Chinese employee

Do you know ASML Acquires Chip data allegedly “misappropriated” by a former Chinese employee? SML Holding, a Dutch semiconductor company, recently claimed that an ex-employee in China reportedly stole chip data. The top chipmaker also mentioned a potential connection between the tragedy and a secret technology.

ASML Confirms Misappropriation of Chip Data

On April 17, 2018, a worker passes an ASML logo in Veldhoven. ASML is a Dutch business and is now the top supplier of photolithography technology used to manufacture semiconductors. – The difficulty of fitting more data onto the microchips that run everything from our phones to our laptops, even our coffee makers, is known as “the shrink.” The Dutch company ASML, which was founded in 1984 and has quietly grown to be a global leader in the semiconductor industry, is pushing the envelope of science and technology today.

Read More: Tips For Safeguarding Sensitive Data in 2023

Bloomberg reported on Wednesday, February 15, that ASML accused a former employee in China of stealing private information about the business.

According to the firm, the theft might not be “significant” to operations.

In its annual report, ASML claimed, “We have experienced illegal misappropriation of data relating to proprietary information by a (now) former employee in China.

The business viewed this as a major security risk because there is a chance that data will be stolen. It’s probable that the intrusive party has already broken a few laws, such as those governing export restrictions.

As of right now, ASML has already informed the authorities about the occurrence. It is anticipated that the case will be the subject of a subsequent notice.

US-China Chip War Might Spark the Problem

Technology advancement is still a point of contention between the US and China. According to reports, the two powerhouse nations will use semiconductors in their conflict.

It’s possible that neither the Dutch government nor ASML expected to be impacted by the dispute between the two.

The fundamental reason ASML is positioned in the chip manufacturing industry is that it has something special to offer clients.

It is the sole semiconductor company recognised for creating UV lithography equipment. The $200 million equipment is made to print the finest and most sophisticated microchips in the world.

The high-grade chips are most frequently employed in AI and military applications.

Read More: In 2025, Apple will use its own wireless chips in the iPhone.

ASML Stops Shipping Chipmaking Machines to China

Since 2018, ASML has reportedly stopped sending the lithography equipment to China, according to CNBC.

Before it became a thing, the US pushed the Dutch government to act in this way so that the Chinese chip manufacturers would have to answer for their deeds.

Chip Data Misappropriation Linked to China Espionage

The theft may be related to espionage given that the US government continues to impose restrictions on chip sales to China.

Around 2021, ASML charged Dongfang Jingyuan Electron of violating the business’s intellectual property. The Dutch company thought that the latter was stealing its intellectual property.

Given how well-positioned ASML is in the sector, it makes sense that numerous businesses might be preparing to steal its technology. According to a firm spokesman, there are rising security risk tendencies that could harm the organization’s reputation as a whole.

China hopes to increase chip production amid the chip wars so it can catch up to the US and other nations. Even while the nation is making a little headway with its ambitions, it is still falling behind other nations like South Korea and Taiwan in the semiconductor industry.