Nvidia In China’s Crosshairs? Beijing’s Cyber Regulator Pulls Up AI Stalwart To Explain ‘Serious Security’ Risks In H20 Chips - Stocktwits

In a significant development in U.S.-China tech relations, Nvidia has been summoned by China's Cyberspace Administration (CAC) to address concerns regarding potential backdoor security risks in its H20 AI chips. These chips, tailored for the Chinese market, have come under scrutiny due to allegations that they may contain hidden features allowing for remote access or tracking of users. Nvidia's spokesperson, Sarah Weinstein, firmly denied these claims, stating, 'Cybersecurity is critically important to us. Nvidia does not have 'backdoors' in our chips that would give anyone a remote way to access or control them.' The CAC's inquiry follows a recent easing of export restrictions from the U.S. government, which had previously barred the sale of advanced chips to China over national security concerns. The H20 chips, based on Nvidia's Hopper architecture, are designed to meet tightened trade guidelines while still facilitating advanced computing tasks. As Nvidia resumed sales in China, the CAC expressed worries over 'serious security vulnerabilities' linked to the H20, emphasizing the need for detailed technical information from the company. U.S. cybersecurity experts have suggested that the chips might include tracking and remote shutdown capabilities, which could be exploited to monitor or disable Chinese systems. This situation reflects the heightened paranoia and scrutiny surrounding semiconductor technology amid ongoing geopolitical tensions. The CAC has requested Nvidia to clarify whether the H20 chips enable location tracking and remote disablement, with experts indicating that these features could present national security risks to China. The investigation into Nvidia's chips underscores the fragile state of technology relations between the two nations, with both sides increasingly wary of the other's capabilities and intentions. As the situation unfolds, the tech community is closely watching the implications of this inquiry on Nvidia's operations in China and the broader semiconductor market.