ASML recently discovered that an employee in China stole company information. A spokesman for the Veldhoven-based concern confirmed this.
"ASML has been the victim of misappropriation of data related to proprietary technology by a (now) former employee in China. While we do not believe that the misappropriation is material to our business, certain export control regulations may have been violated. ASML has reported the incident to the relevant authorities," the chip maker wrote in its annual report.
According to ASML's own investigation, the incident did not affect operations. "It is extra annoying, though, that it comes from one of our own employees," the spokesman said. What information the ex-employee stole is not known. ASML says it has taken precautions to prevent a recurrence.
Foreign Trade and Development Minister Schreinemacher said he found the incident worrisome. "ASML is doing an awful lot to secure its valuable technology. This is in the interest of all of us. It is therefore very worrying that such a large and renowned company is affected by economic espionage." ASML has been robbed by its own employees in Silicon Valley before. In 2015, American and Chinese employees sold information to competitor Xtal.
