Taiwan Raids Ex-TSMC Exec’s Home in Trade Secrets Probe

Taiwan prosecutors said that investigators had raided the homes of a former senior TSMC executive and seized computers after the company accused him of leaking trade secrets—an allegation his current employer Intel has denied, Wen-Yee Lee and Ben Blanchard reported for Reuters.

Prosecutors said Lo is suspected of violating Taiwan’s National Security Act. (Photo: TSMC)

TSMC, the world’s largest contract chipmaker and a major supplier to firms including Nvidia, said it had filed a lawsuit in Taiwan’s Intellectual Property and Commercial Court against Wei-Jen Lo, its former senior vice president.

Prosecutors said Lo is suspected of violating Taiwan’s National Security Act.

On Wednesday afternoon, investigators executed a search warrant at two of Lo’s residences, seizing computers, USB drives and other evidence, prosecutors said. A court also approved a petition to seize his shares and real estate, the statement added.

Earlier Thursday, Intel denied TSMC’s allegations. “Based on everything we know, we have no reason to believe there is any merit to the allegations involving Mr. Lo,” Intel said in an emailed statement.