A significant manufacturer of computer chip equipment, ASML, claims that a former worker in China stole the knowledge of its technology. According to the Dutch company, it has since notified the US and Dutch authorities of the incident. The company continued, “We consider the misappropriation not essential to our business.”

Technology News UK reports ASML is one of the most significant businesses in the global semiconductor supply chain. The most advanced chips in the world are produced thereby its equipment. Chips, also known as semiconductors, are needed to power everything from mobile phones to military hardware, and the US and China are engaged in a bitter trade war over them.

“An employee (now ex-employee) in China stole proprietary technology and unauthorised data from us. There may have been a violation of several export control laws as a result of the security issue. In light of this occurrence, we are putting additional corrective procedures into place,” in its most recent annual report, ASML stated.

Technology News UK has learned that ASML withheld additional information regarding the employee and the relevant technologies. A BBC request for comment has yet to receive a response from the company. The Chinese embassy in Washington did not immediately answer an inquiry from the BBC for comment.

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