Computer Virus Cripples iPhone Chipmaker TSMC Plants – Bloomberg
What happened: TSMC has shut down multiple factories after its systems were hit by a computer virus on Friday evening. This is the first time a virus attack has affected TSMC’s production lines. Over the weekend, TSMC recovered most of its equipment that was infected by the virus, which, according to company statement, “wasn’t introduced by a hacker.”
Why it’s important: TSMC, the largest semiconductor manufacturer in the world, is the main supplier for companies like Apple and Qualcomm. The incident is expected to cause shipment delays, additional costs, and other supply chain disruptions. It is still unclear what the implications are for Apple, who is expected to roll out the new iPhone later this year.