China's Cybersecurity Regulator Summons Nvidia Over Chip Security Issue — Update

By Sherry Qin

China's cybersecurity regulator has summoned Nvidia representatives to discuss the security risks of artificial-intelligence chips it sells in China.

The Cyberspace Administration of China wants Nvidia to explain the "backdoor security risks" associated with its H20 chips sold in China and submit relevant documents, it said Thursday.

The move is aimed at "safeguarding the network and data security of Chinese users" given that American industry experts had said Nvidia's chips had tracking and remote-shutdown capabilities.

"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," a Nvidia spokesperson said.

Nvidia said in July that it could resume its H20 AI chip sales in China, months after the U.S. Commerce Department restricted its sales amid escalating U.S.-China trade tensions.

The chip was specially designed for Chinese customers to meet U.S. export rules and has been a top seller in the country since 2024.

Write to Sherry Qin at sherry.qin@wsj.com