Nvidia has reaffirmed that its chips do not contain hidden backdoors or kill switches, urging U.S. policymakers to abandon proposals that would mandate such features. In a blog post published on Tuesday in both English and Chinese, the AI chip giant warned that requiring tracking or remote-control capabilities in semiconductors would be a “gift” to hackers and hostile actors. The statement follows concerns raised by the Chinese government, which recently summoned Nvidia over a U.S. proposal to embed location-tracking technology in advanced chips sold abroad.
The U.S. government has been considering measures to prevent American-made chips from being diverted to restricted countries, including potential requirements for location verification functions. While the White House and Congress have discussed the idea, no formal rules or technical standards have been established. Nvidia argued that such features would weaken global trust in U.S. technology and create security risks, stating, “Embedding backdoors and kill switches into chips would undermine global digital infrastructure.”
The company emphasized that its products have no hidden access points that could allow unauthorized remote control. “There is no such thing as a ‘good’ secret backdoor—only dangerous vulnerabilities that need to be eliminated,” Nvidia said. The firm’s stance highlights the growing tension between national security concerns and the tech industry’s push for open, secure supply chains.
China has closely monitored the U.S. proposal, viewing it as a potential threat to its access to critical technology. Nvidia’s public rejection of backdoors aligns with its efforts to maintain its market position in China, where it faces increasing competition and regulatory scrutiny. The debate underscores the broader challenges in balancing security, trade, and technological innovation in the semiconductor industry.