ASML Accuses Ex-Employee in China of Stealing Chip Data

(Bloomberg) — ASML Holding NV, a critical cog in the global semiconductor industry, accused a former China-based employee of stealing confidential information. It’s the second such breach linked to China in less than a year and threatens to fan political tensions.

The Dutch technology company, which makes machines needed to produce high-end chips used in everything from electric vehicles to military gear, initiated an internal investigation and tightened security controls after recently discovering the incident. It said on Wednesday that export controls may have been violated, exposing the company to a potential regulatory backlash.