GoKawiilThe recent cyber breach at Indian Apple supplier Tata Electronics has become propaganda gold for Beijing, as leaders vie to keep international companies locked into China's supply chains.
"Something like this would never happen in China," said Ma Shouhua, an iPhone repair specialist in China's biggest electronics marketplace, Huaqiangbei.
Ma recently posted a viral video outlining the purported specifications of Apple's soon-to-be-released iPhone 18 Pro models that were part of the materials leaked after the breach.
Tata Electronics confirmed a "cybersecurity incident" to CNBC but said it "had no impact on our operations across businesses." The company did not say if any materials or data were stolen.
Reuters reported in June that hacking group World Leaks claimed responsibility for the attack and that stolen data included parts lists, suppliers and photos of Apple's unreleased iPhone 18 Pro.
Apple declined to comment on the leak or its supply chain plans.
With geopolitical tensions rising, dependence on China has become riskier for U.S. companies, leading Apple and other companies to make greater efforts to diversify. Last year, Apple produced its top devices — the iPhone 17 series — in India for the first time.
The competition with India for iPhone production and other manufacturing has alarmed Chinese authorities.