NVIDIA pushes back against chip backdoor demands

Transparent tools differ from covert backdoors, argues NVIDIA in latest security statement.
NVIDIA and TSMC have produced the first Blackwell wafer in the US, marking a breakthrough in domestic AI chip manufacturing and industrial resilience.

NVIDIA has publicly rejected calls to embed kill switches or backdoors in its AI chips amid growing political pressure. The statement follows proposals from US lawmakers and accusations by Chinese authorities.

Chief Security Officer David Reber Jr. said any such backdoor would endanger global digital infrastructure and open doors for hackers. He reaffirmed NVIDIA’s commitment to fixing vulnerabilities, not creating them.

The controversy arises as the chipmaker navigates strict US export controls while maintaining its foothold in China with the H20 chip. A Chinese agency recently claimed these chips already contain hidden controls.

Reber distinguished transparent, user-controlled tools like remote wipe from covert backdoors, arguing they serve customers without risking the system integrity of the chips.

Would you like to learn more about AI, tech and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!