In a twist involving allegations of corporate espionage, some employees of TSMC have been accused of sharing sensitive photos of the company’s advanced 2 nm technology with a competitor based in Japan, Rapidus. As reported by Money.udn.com, the leaked images could reveal crucial details regarding TSMC’s upcoming fabrication processes.

According to the allegation, at least one current employee at TSMC is believed to have collaborated with a former colleague now at Tokyo Electron to pass trade secrets covertly. Tokyo Electron is known for providing equipment essential for semiconductor fabrication, which TSMC likely uses.

Reports have documented that the accused employees accessed sensitive materials on the company’s intranet during work hours, leading to a prompt internal investigation by TSMC. The Taiwanese authorities have reportedly detained three individuals last month under the charges of breaching national security laws due to this incident. If found guilty, they could face severe penalties, including lengthy prison sentences.

Despite these alarming developments, the overall implications for TSMC’s technology and rapid advancements in semiconductors remain to be fully understood, amid ongoing investigations into the matter.