Wed Sep 18 07:13:20 UTC 2024: ## Taiwanese Tech Firm Denies Involvement in Hezbollah Attack Using Exploding Pagers

**Taipei, Taiwan** – A Taiwanese tech company, Gold Apollo, has denied involvement in the production of exploding pagers used in an apparent attack on members of Lebanon’s Hezbollah group. The company claims the pagers, branded as the AR-924 model, were manufactured by a European company named BAC under a licensing agreement.

“We only provide brand trademark authorization and have no involvement in the design or manufacturing of this product,” Gold Apollo stated.

While Taiwan’s Ministry of Economic Affairs has no record of direct exports of these devices to Lebanon, analysts express skepticism about the Taiwanese government’s or Gold Apollo’s alleged involvement in the attack. They suspect the pagers may have been modified after manufacturing.

The incident has raised concerns about Taiwan’s tech industry’s vulnerability and its global supply chain. Experts emphasize the need for increased scrutiny over the entire supply chain to ensure security and avoid future incidents.

“This incident will be a huge, critical lesson for the industry,” said Christy Chiang, a professor in tech law at National Taiwan Ocean University. “The Taiwan tech industry used to think they are only manufacturers of hardware, so they have nothing to do with politics, they are doing their own business. But not any more.”

The incident comes amidst the ongoing war in Gaza, bringing the conflict’s ramifications to Taiwan’s doorstep. While Taipei has maintained a largely neutral stance on the conflict, the attack has prompted discussions about potential security vulnerabilities within Taiwan’s tech industry. Some Taiwanese citizens fear similar incidents may occur in the future.

The revelation further highlights the growing importance of Taiwan’s tech sector in the global arena. Taiwan is home to TSMC, the world’s largest semiconductor manufacturer, and its economy heavily relies on its export-driven tech industry. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the potential risks and challenges faced by Taiwan’s tech industry in an increasingly interconnected world.

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