Core Viewpoint - The article discusses a significant leak of confidential information related to TSMC's 2nm process, which has raised concerns about the ongoing chip competition between Taiwan and Japan. The leak was reportedly facilitated by a former TSMC engineer who used remote work to capture sensitive information [1][2]. Group 1: Incident Overview - TSMC's confidential information was leaked to Tokyo Electron (TEL), highlighting the competitive landscape in the semiconductor industry between Taiwan and Japan [1]. - The leak involved a former TSMC engineer who used a company-issued laptop to access confidential files and then photographed them with a personal phone, circumventing digital monitoring systems [2]. - TSMC's internal investigation was triggered by unusual access to confidential files, leading to the identification of the involved employees and subsequent legal action [2]. Group 2: Security Measures and Challenges - TSMC has stringent security measures in place, including restrictions on mobile phone usage within facilities and monitoring systems to detect anomalies [1]. - Despite these measures, the complexity of chip manufacturing processes, which can involve hundreds to thousands of steps, makes it challenging to fully replicate the technology even if some information is leaked [1]. - TSMC's chairman has previously stated that the current technological advancements make it extremely difficult for individuals to steal or replicate their processes [1].