China Regulators Question Nvidia Over H20 Chip Security Risks

China’s cyberspace regulators summoned Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang on Thursday for a meeting to address concerns over potential “backdoor safety risks” in the company’s H20 chips, according to a statement from the Cyberspace Administration of China. The regulators demanded that the U.S.-based chipmaker provide detailed explanations regarding the security of these chips and submit relevant materials for review. The H20 chips, designed to comply with U.S. export restrictions, were recently allowed to be sold in China after a temporary ban imposed by the Trump administration was lifted [1].

The meeting comes amid heightened scrutiny of advanced semiconductor technologies in both the U.S. and China. Chinese officials highlighted that the H20 chips could be tracked and potentially disabled remotely, posing cybersecurity risks to end users. In response, an Nvidia spokesperson reiterated that the company does not embed backdoors into its products that would enable unauthorized remote access or control [1].

This development follows a series of legislative moves in the U.S. concerning chip security. In May, Rep. Bill Huizenga (R-MI) and Rep. Bill Foster (D-IL) introduced the Chip Security Act, which proposed mandatory security mechanisms on high-end chips to prevent smuggling or exploitation. While the bill has yet to progress in Congress, it reflects a growing bipartisan concern over the security implications of advanced semiconductor exports [1].

The easing of the U.S. export ban on H20 chips had been celebrated by Nvidia as an opportunity to expand sales in China, with Huang announcing the move in Beijing earlier in the month. However, the resumption of these sales has drawn criticism from U.S. lawmakers, including top Democratic senators such as Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, who expressed “grave concerns” over the potential for China to leverage the technology for military and surveillance purposes [1].

In a separate letter, Rep. John Moolenaar (R-MI), chair of the House Select Committee on China, urged the Commerce Department to maintain its previous restrictions on the H20. He argued that allowing China access to the chips would undermine U.S. national security and innovation [1].

The incident underscores the deepening tension between U.S. and Chinese regulatory approaches to high-tech exports. While the H20 is less powerful than Nvidia’s H100, it still offers capabilities that current Chinese chip designs cannot match. As both nations seek to dominate the artificial intelligence landscape, the issue of semiconductor security is expected to remain a focal point of geopolitical and economic friction.

Sources:

[1] Fortune, https://fortune.com/2025/08/01/nvidia-jensen-huang-china-cybersecurity-backdoor-safety-risks-h20-chips/