Chinese authorities have summoned representatives of U.S. chip giant Nvidia to address “serious security concerns” related to its H20 artificial intelligence chips, as the company becomes a flashpoint in escalating U.S.-China tech tensions.
Nvidia, a world leader in AI semiconductors, has been at the center of trade frictions since the United States imposed export restrictions on advanced chips to China, citing national security concerns.
At the heart of the dispute is the H20 processor, a lower-powered version of Nvidia’s AI chip designed to comply with U.S. export rules. Nvidia recently resumed H20 shipments after Washington eased certain licensing requirements that had previously halted exports.
The Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) announced Thursday that it had summoned Nvidia officials to explain vulnerabilities and potential “backdoors” in the H20 chips sold to Chinese customers.
In a statement posted on social media, the regulator said it had requested supporting materials on security risks, noting that U.S. experts claim Nvidia chips can already support location tracking and remote shutdown capabilities.
The move adds fresh complications for Nvidia as it navigates strained U.S.-China relations and intense competition from Chinese semiconductor firms.
The H20 chip is seen as crucial for maintaining Nvidia’s market presence in China, which is one of its most important revenue drivers, even as U.S. lawmakers push for mandatory tracking features in future AI chip exports.
The security inquiry underscores Beijing’s determination to assert control over foreign technology amid a broader push for self-sufficiency in semiconductors.
