TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. said Tuesday it has taken disciplinary and legal action against employees for illegally obtaining confidential data related to its 2-nanometer chip technology.

The world’s largest contract chipmaker said it had identified rule violations and responded accordingly. Several staff members were dismissed following an internal investigation, according to the Liberty Times.

With legal proceedings underway, TSMC said it would not disclose further details. The company stressed its zero-tolerance policy toward breaches of confidentiality or actions harmful to its interests.

TSMC added that it would continue safeguarding its competitiveness and employees’ interests by strengthening internal oversight. When necessary, the company said, it would cooperate fully with law enforcement to ensure operational stability.

The Taiwan High Prosecutors Office questioned one former TSMC engineer and two current engineers between July 25–28, and obtained court approval to detain them, per UDN. Investigators also reportedly searched the offices of Tokyo Electron at the Hsinchu Science Park.

TSMC’s 2 nm process is considered highly complex and costly to develop, with only a few global players—including Samsung, Intel, and Japan’s Rapidus—having achieved similar technological advances.