China: "Serious Security Issues Found in NVIDIA H20 Chip"... Summons for Explanation Requested
Summary
- Chinese authorities announced that they had found serious security issues in the NVIDIA H20 AI chip and requested NVIDIA to submit explanations and supporting documents.
- The measure was reportedly prompted by backdoor security risks and a US requirement for inclusion of location tracking features in exported chips.
- China emphasizes technological self-reliance in the AI and semiconductor fields and is stepping up efforts to nurture domestic semiconductor firms.
"US Lawmakers Demand Location Tracking Feature on Exported Chips"
Sudden 'Check' After H20 Chip Import Resumed
Chinese authorities have recently pressured NVIDIA, claiming that 'serious security issues' were found in the company's H20 artificial intelligence (AI) chip, which was recently approved for sale from the US.
According to the state-run China Central Television (CCTV) on the 31st, the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) summoned NVIDIA that day, requesting an explanation and submission of evidence regarding security risks related to the backdoor (a vulnerability that bypasses standard security and authentication to access networks) in the H20 chips being sold in China.
A 'summon' (yuedan) in China is a kind of verbal warning in which authorities call in companies, organizations, or individuals to point out mistakes, demand corrections, or deliver requirements. CCTV explained that this measure is meant to protect Chinese users' internet and data security, and is based on domestic laws such as the Cybersecurity Law, Data Security Law, and Personal Information Protection Law.
CCTV added, "It has recently emerged that there are serious safety issues with NVIDIA's computing chips," and stated: "Previously, US lawmakers demanded that advanced chips exported from the US must be equipped with a 'location tracking' feature, and experts in the US AI field have indicated that NVIDIA's location tracking and remote shutdown technologies are already mature."
In the context of global competition with the US, China has promoted 'advanced technology self-reliance' as a rallying cry and has strategically fostered the AI and semiconductor sectors. Centered around domestic semiconductor firms such as Huawei, China is considered to have made some progress in localizing high-performance chip technologies.
The Donald Trump US administration, citing 'national security,' imposed restrictions in April preventing NVIDIA, the world's leading AI chipmaker, from selling its high-performance H20 semiconductors to China. More recently, China allowed H20 chip exports to resume as a condition for lifting its ban on rare-earth magnet exports to the US.
Subin Park, Hankyung.com reporter waterbean@hankyung.com
Korea Economic Daily
hankyung@bloomingbit.ioThe Korea Economic Daily Global is a digital media where latest news on Korean companies, industries, and financial markets.
