TSMC is widely considered as one of the most successful semiconductors and chip maker in the world, with the company already set to enter into mass production for its 2nm process. Because the EUV technology to fabricate said process is a tightly guarded secret and the company not ruling out a military invasion from China, it has reportedly fitted said EUV machines with killswitches that would cause them to self-destruct, if it comes down to it.
The remote killswitches were made by another semiconductor maker, the Dutch ASML and are understandably there for TSMC’s security. It’s a part of the foundry’s scorched earth policy: it’s a military doctrine that is aimed at denying and depriving invading forces any and all resources, reducing their ability to sustain a war.
It is no secret that, while China considers Taiwan to technically be a part of its territory, the latter sees itself as an independent country and nation, with its electronics industry considered as part of its state infrastructure. The country prides itself as a democracy, and is proud of how much homegrown companies like TSMC have grown to become the dominating player in the semiconductor industry.
It also doesn’t help China that the US is actively limiting its access to semiconductor chips, as well as gimping its AI endeavour. As it stands, the Biden administration has already blacklisted several more Chinese companies from doing business with US-based entities, with the latter required to apply for specialised permits to continue doing so, with the presumption of a denial.
(Source: Tom’s Hardware)
