Tata data leak exposes Apple iPhone 18 Pro supplier details, photos

NEW DELHI: Lists of suppliers, component details and photographs of Apple’s upcoming iPhone 18 Pro models were among files posted on the dark web after a ransomware attack on Tata Electronics, according to documents reviewed by Reuters and a source familiar with the matter.

The leaked files contain information linking specific iPhone 18 Pro components to their suppliers, including chips on the main circuit board, battery parts and camera components.

According to the source, Apple considers the information sensitive because it relates to unreleased products and identifies suppliers for individual parts, details the company does not make public. Apple and Tata Electronics did not respond to Reuters’ requests for comment.

Supplier data exposed

Reuters reported that at least six leaked files map many of the iPhone 18 Pro’s components to the companies supplying them. The documents cover hundreds of parts expected to be used in the upcoming devices.

The records also show where Apple sources components from multiple suppliers and where it depends on only a few, providing insight into its supply chain.

Reuters said it could not independently verify the authenticity of the leaked files. The ransomware group World Leaks, which claimed responsibility for the breach, could not immediately be reached for comment.

The data leak follows an earlier Reuters report that more than 200,000 files stolen from Tata Electronics had been posted online, including documents related to older iPhone components, Tesla parts, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co and Qualcomm.

Photos of test devices

The leaked material also includes photographs dated early 2026 showing iPhones undergoing drop tests at a Tata facility. The images show a grey handset with three rear cameras and the Apple logo.

Reuters said it could not independently confirm the model shown in the photographs, but a source familiar with the matter said they were iPhone 18 Pro devices. Several files carried Apple’s “confidential” watermark and internal code names linked to the iPhone 18 Pro generation.

Reuters previously reported that Apple is investigating the breach with Tata Electronics. Tata has restricted access to some internal systems and hired an external consultant to carry out a forensic audit.

The incident comes as Tata expands its role in Apple’s manufacturing operations in India, where it supplies components and assembles iPhones. According to research firm Counterpoint, India is expected to produce 26pc of the world’s iPhones in 2026, compared with 6pc four years earlier.