HTC Execs Arrested In Data Leak Probe

Three HTC design executives have been arrested following leaks of company secrets, adding to the woes at the troubled smartphone maker.

The firm’s VP of product design Thomas Chien, research and development director Wu Chien-Hung and senior manager of design and innovation Justin Huang were taken in by Taipei police on Friday.

HTC troubles continue

According to reports, the police claimed the men were planning to use information from HTC to set up a new mobile company. It was also suggested they made false commission fee claims totalling around £216,170.

“The matter is under investigation by relevant authorities.  We therefore refrain from further comments,” an HTC spokesperson said, in an emailed statement sent to TechWeekEurope.

The mobile maker has been going through some turbulent times, as it struggles against tough competition in the smartphone market, in particular from Apple and Samsung.

Despite receiving rave reviews for its high-end smartphones, the company has still warned of losses as its revenue continues to plummet.

In a bid to turn things around, HTC has brought in Robert Downey Jr for a major marketing push and is squeezing out more mid-range phones in a bid to capture a slice of that market from the likes of Samsung.

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