Taiwan Electricity is prepared to produce 2 nanometers, reported in Japan in Asia. Recently, it has revealed that unauthorized activities have been detected, resulting in potential business secret leakage risks. After the investigation, in addition to the strict legal division of the person involved in the case, legal procedures were also initiated.
Taiwan Electric has removed several employees on the grounds that it is suspected of violating the company's regulations on obtaining sensitive information. According to people familiar with the matter, several front-end station employees suspected of their duties and tried to obtain "key information" of NTD 2 nanometer production. Although the TECHNOLOG is strictly detailed, the outside world generally believes that it is related to the mass production of 2 nanometers this year, and is currently the world's first advanced process.
Taiwan's electric response, during routine monitoring, unauthorized activities were detected, and business secret leaks were found. Taiwan Electricity announced on the 4th that the parties involved have taken strict legal points and initiated legal procedures. Any acts that harm business confidentiality protection or endanger the interests of the company will be handled strictly and investigated in accordance with the law. NTD will continue to strengthen management and monitoring systems, and cooperate with monitoring agencies when necessary to ensure competitive advantages and stability. The company also promises to maintain core competitiveness and employee interests.
This case triggered the outside world's concern for national security. In order to protect sensitive technologies from opponents, especially in the semiconductor field, Taiwan has issued the National Security Law in 2022, clearly defining the list of national core key technologies, including advanced overall circuit technology below 14 nanometers. It is considered illegal to copy, use or disclose business secrets related to the core national technologies without authorization, or to exceed the scope of authorization. The case of commercial secret leaks is likely to be in the scope of the National Security Law.
2 Nano is the first semiconductor process at present. The development cost is extremely high and difficult. Telco is scheduled to be mass-produced by the year end. The world is only Telco, Samsung, Intel and Japan's Rapidus. Wei Zhejia, chairman of Taiwan Electric, once said that Taiwan Electric's technology is difficult to copy because the process not only requires complex professional knowledge, but also includes a massive experience in production lines and development accumulation, highlighting the unique characteristics and value of Taiwan Electric.
The secret information is not yet clear, the investigation is still underway, and the scope of possible leaks is still clearing, and whether there are outsiders involved in the case. Taiwan Electric said that the case has entered judicial proceedings and cannot provide more details. The Taiwan Higher Inspection Office also stated that there is no details to disclose.