Key Points
- Chinese state media is publicly criticizing Nvidia’s H20 chips.
- The main accusation is that the chips have a “backdoor” security risk that could allow for remote shutdown.
- They also claim the chips are technologically outdated and not environmentally friendly. Nvidia has denied that its chips have any backdoors.
- The criticism is seen as a way for Beijing to pressure Nvidia and encourage consumers to buy domestic chips.
Chinese state media has launched a public attack on Nvidia’s H20 chips, calling them unsafe, technologically outdated, and not environmentally friendly. The criticism, published by an account linked to the state broadcaster CCTV, marks a significant escalation in the pressure Beijing is putting on the U.S. chip giant.
The biggest concern raised by the state media outlet, Yuyuan Tantian, is the fear of a hidden “backdoor” in the chips. They claim this could allow for “remote shutdown” of the hardware. This follows a recent meeting where China’s internet watchdog summoned Nvidia to explain these exact security risks.
Nvidia has firmly denied the accusations, stating its products have no backdoors that would allow remote access.
Nvidia specifically designed the H20 chip for the Chinese market after the U.S. imposed strict export controls on its more advanced AI chips. The situation became more complicated when the Trump administration first banned the H20s in April, only to reverse that decision in July amid ongoing trade talks.
The state media campaign seems designed to send a clear message. Another outlet, the People’s Daily, has also demanded “convincing security proofs” from Nvidia.
The CCTV-affiliated article ended with a pointed suggestion to consumers. When a chip is unsafe and not advanced, “we certainly have the option not to buy it.” This signals that Beijing is using the security issue as leverage in its tech rivalry with the U.S.
