ASML: TSMC lithography machines can be remotely disabled

On May 22, according to foreign media reports, the EUV extreme ultraviolet lithography machine purchased by TSMC from ASML has a hidden backdoor that can be remotely locked when necessary!

According to Lianhe Zaobao, when the Dutch side was communicating with ASML about the lithography machine issue, the person in charge assured that they had the ability to remotely lock and control chip manufacturing equipment.

This means that ASML has inherited the habit of leaving "backdoors" from European and American companies. With the disclosure of such information, it may be very likely to be exploited by the United States and the situation may become completely uncontrollable. ASML does not conceal it at all, and there may be big problems.

ASML has responded many times that China is the most important market. In the past three quarters, it has even become the largest market. The CEO himself has visited China many times to restore cooperation, but all this is ultimately beyond his control. Under the constant pressure from the United States, ASML may have fallen into a desperate situation.

Leaving a "backdoor" in the lithography machines that have already been sold is too risky for customers. This means that once certain conflicts arise between the two parties in the future, these paid devices will most likely become unusable.

Sources said EUV requires frequent maintenance, and without spare parts provided by ASML, the machines would soon stop working. EUV's on-site maintenance requirements are high, and they are placed in clean rooms, requiring engineers to wear special suits to avoid contamination.

ASML offers joint service contracts to certain customers, allowing them to do some routine maintenance themselves, thus allowing customers such as TSMC to access their own machine systems. ASML said it cannot access customers' proprietary data.