China flags concerns over potential security risks in Nvidia's H20 chips
The Cyberspace Administration of China, the country's internet regulator, said it was concerned by a US proposal for advanced chips sold abroad to be equipped with tracking and positioning functions.
It said it had summoned Nvidia to a meeting on Thursday (Jul 31) to explain whether its H20 AI chip had any backdoor security risks, as it was worried that Chinese user data and privacy rights could be affected.
Nvidia did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.
In May, US Senator Tom Cotton introduced a bill that would direct the Commerce Department to require location verification mechanisms for AI chips subject to export restrictions, to curb Chinese access to advanced US semiconductor technology.
Nvidia has been in the crosshairs of US-China relations and China's move comes shortly after the US this month reversed an April ban on Nvidia selling the H20 chip to China. The company developed the H20 chip for the Chinese market after the US imposed export restrictions on advanced AI chips in late 2023.
Last month, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang embarked on a very public and effusive visit to China, where he sought to demonstrate his commitment to the Chinese market, met with government officials and praised the country's AI advances.
The CAC statement did not elaborate on what backdoor security risks there could be or say what the Chinese government was considering doing as a result.
Nvidia's products are highly sought after not just by Chinese tech companies but also by Chinese military bodies, state-run AI research institutes and universities. The company placed an order for 300,000 H20 chipsets last week due to strong demand, Reuters reported.
Chinese authorities and industry associations have in the past accused US tech companies of posing security risks, with varying consequences.
In early 2023, China barred key operators of the country's infrastructure from purchasing from Micron, saying that a review it conducted had found that the US memory chip maker's products posed serious security risks.
Last year, an industry group, the Cybersecurity Association of China, called for Intel products sold in China to be subject to a security review, but Chinese regulators have not publicly responded.
Nvidia is also facing an antitrust investigation in China. The State Administration for Market Regulation announced late last year it was investigating the chipmaker over suspected violations of the country's anti-monopoly law.
The regulator said Nvidia was also suspected of violating commitments it made during its acquisition of Israeli chip designer Mellanox Technologies, under terms outlined in the regulator's 2020 conditional approval of that deal.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Business Times
14 minutes ago
- Business Times
Europe: Shares close higher as US-China tariff truce, US data buoy sentiment
EUROPEAN shares closed higher on Tuesday on optimism about the US-China tariff truce and interest rate cuts by the US Federal Reserve, while declines in heavyweight technology stocks limited gains. The pan-European Stoxx 600 index closed 0.2 per cent higher at 547.89 a day after starting the week lower. Investors were relieved after Washington and Beijing extended a tariff truce by 90 days, staving off triple-digit duties on each other's goods until Nov 10. 'Equity markets have been pretty relaxed about all the trade news. The assumption seems to be that (US President Donald) Trump will relent on everything and that it will all be OK,' said Rob Perrone, investment specialist for Orbis Investments. 'If the news is better than yesterday's, then stocks go up.' Most sectors on the benchmark Stoxx 600 rose, led by energy with a 1.5 per cent advance. Vestas Wind Systems outperformed peers with a 4.7 per cent gain, after receiving US orders for undisclosed projects. Heavyweight tech shares fell 2.1 per cent to their lowest levels since early May. Software stocks in particular fell sharply on concerns that artificial intelligence could weaken this technology segment. BT in your inbox Start and end each day with the latest news stories and analyses delivered straight to your inbox. Sign Up Sign Up SAP slid 7 per cent, while Nemetschek SE was down 11 per cent, the biggest decliners on the index. The stocks logged their steepest one-day declines since 2020. Most regional indexes were higher, but Germany's DAX , dipped 0.2 per cent. German investor morale fell more than expected in August, an index showed. Latest earnings forecasts showed companies are expected to report 4.8 per cent growth in second-quarter earnings, on average, above the previously expected 3.1 per cent, according to LSEG I/B/E/S data. Earnings in Europe have been resilient so far, partly because the recent EU-US tariff deal has eased concerns over how Trump's levies might affect corporate performance. Moreover, data showed US inflation rose broadly in line with expectations in July, putting the Fed on track to lower interest rates next month. Markets also eyed a Friday meeting between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin on Russia's war in Ukraine. Trump said on Monday that both Kyiv and Moscow will have to cede land to end the war. European leaders and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky plan to speak with Trump on Wednesday amid fears that Washington might dictate unfavourable peace terms to Kyiv. Among other stocks, Spirax Group surged 13 per cent to record its best day since March 1983, after the British manufacturing group's first-half results beat expectations. Sartorius rose 7.4 per cent after Jefferies upgraded the pharmaceutical equipment supplier's stock rating to 'buy' from 'hold'. Conversely, Derwent London shares dropped 6 per cent after reporting lower first-half earnings. REUTERS
Straits Times
2 hours ago
- Straits Times
SG60: Reading between the lines of the Draft Master Plan 2025
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Even as it tackles hard economic questions, the Draft Master Plan 2025 doesn't lose sight of softer, human-scale priorities. Singapore's urban and economic planning has long been pragmatic, but the Draft Master Plan 2025 signals something new: boldness. In response to shifting global and domestic fundamentals, the plan reframes land use through emerging tools such as polycentric gateway corridors, and a more agile, layered approach to decentralisation. This isn't a wholesale reinvention, but a quiet recalibration, adapting Singapore's planning ethos to meet an era of slower growth, more complex trade-offs, and heightened geopolitical uncertainty. Decentralisation under pressure The once-ambitious model of decentralising offices beyond the Central Business District (CBD) is slowing. As companies right-size and consolidate their operations, many are returning to the city core, drawn by cost-efficiency, branding visibility, and a concentration of talent and services. The traditional rental premium once commanded by the CBD has eroded, narrowing the cost differential and weakening the incentive to decentralise – unless firms are tightly woven into local supply chains or talent pools. This trend is not entirely new, but Covid-19 accelerated it. Hybrid work has reduced the average office footprint per firm. Large tenants are less willing to anchor fringe locations unless there are compelling ecosystem advantages. Meanwhile, commercial confidence has been tempered by global uncertainty, from US-China tensions to regional trade realignments. In this context, even flagship decentralisation projects are evolving. Jurong Lake District, once envisioned as a major commercial node, saw the planned commercial quantum of the white site on the reserve list reduced by 30 per cent. While the long-term vision remains, near-term market sentiment is clearly influencing land release strategies. The return – and repositioning – of industrial land Beyond the commercial office market, Singapore's industrial landscape is entering a new chapter. Since 2022, roughly 36 hectares of industrial land have been returned to the state annually, a scale not seen since the 2015-2017 wave that preceded the last Master Plan. Then, as now, this land return reflects deeper structural shifts. Manufacturing is becoming less land-hungry. As companies digitalise and relocate lower-value operations to neighbouring countries, plots once allocated for logistics, clean tech or light manufacturing are being reassessed. The Draft Master Plan 2025 aims to stay ahead of this curve. While there are no radical rezoning moves in the downtown, the government is signalling flexibility. Incentives such as the CBD Incentive Scheme and the Strategic Development Incentive Scheme make it easier for older office buildings to be converted into mixed-use formats, shrinking pure office space while boosting residential and lifestyle offerings. The shift is also evident in the Government Land Sales (GLS) programme. There are no new confirmed downtown office sites, and only three white sites remain on the reserve list. This absence is likely intentional – a quiet nudge for landlords to explore adaptive reuse and a cue to the market that office decentralisation will now take a more tempered, organic form. Bishan returns to the spotlight One of the most intriguing updates is the re-designation of Bishan as a sub-regional centre, a role proposed initially in the 1991 Concept Plan. Back then, the idea was radical: decentralise Singapore's economic core and anchor new business activity in the heartlands. Today, Bishan already boasts strong transport connectivity, public agencies and community infrastructure that serve the broader Toa Payoh-Ang Mo Kio region. Its central location and direct access to Raffles Place via MRT make it an ideal candidate for polycentric growth. Together with Novena, Serangoon, and Toa Payoh, Bishan helps form a north-east arc of business activity – a 'string of pearls' that mirrors the southern belt stretching from Alexandra to one-north. Beyond convenience, this distributed model reflects a future in which live-work-play ecosystems are embedded into the islandwide urban fabric, rather than concentrated in a single hub. Vertical zoning: The next planning frontier Among the more speculative but intriguing concepts to emerge from the 2022 Long-Term Plan Review is the idea of 'vertical zoning'. The notion, layering light industry on the lower floors, offices above that, and residences at the top, was not formally proposed in the Draft Master Plan 2025. Still, it offers a glimpse of how Singapore might evolve its planning logic in response to changing economic and spatial realities. Seen in this light, vertical zoning is a conceptual provocation that asks whether future urban productivity might come not from expanding outwards, but from layering uses in smarter, more synergistic ways. If Singapore is serious about remaining spatially efficient and economically agile, this could be a frontier worth exploring further. While no specific developments have been announced, the pilot in Woodlands, which raises the allowable proportion of non-industrial uses from 40 to 70 per cent, may be an early signal of willingness to experiment. It echoes previous 'Business White' trials, which allowed greater flexibility in land use within designated business zones. If taken seriously, vertical zoning could represent a significant shift away from the traditional horizontal separation of uses that has long defined Singapore's land planning. It reflects a recognition that manufacturing today is cleaner and quieter, and that modern services are increasingly mobile and less reliant on sprawling floor plates. Sustainable and inclusive urban living In line with Singapore's push for environmental sustainability, new housing areas are being explored across the island, with a strong emphasis on reusing existing brownfield sites. Spaces such as Bukit Timah Turf Club, the old Keppel Golf Course, and the soon-to-be-vacated Paya Lebar Airbase are being considered for redevelopment into vibrant residential neighbourhoods. Besides building homes, these plans also aim to create active, socially connected communities, with shared amenities that support everyday life and bring people together. Many of these developments reflect a move towards vertical zoning, where housing is thoughtfully layered with community spaces and lifestyle facilities. A key planning principle is accessibility: Most residents will be within a 10-minute walk of parks, shops, schools, and essential services. As part of the broader 'live-work-play' vision, new opportunities for city and fringe-city living are also being introduced. Areas around Newton MRT station, Paterson Road near Orchard, and Dover-Medway near one-north have been earmarked for mixed-use development that balances inclusivity, sustainability and a strong sense of community. These well-connected neighbourhoods offer a good mix of amenities and entertainment, making them ideal for both families and working professionals. For instance, the idea of a new Village Square at Newton and a vibrant mixed-use hub at Paterson would help bridge luxury housing with the retail and activity of Orchard Road. The Draft Master Plan 2025 also puts greater emphasis on senior-friendly housing, including more assisted-living options and active-ageing centres to support older residents in living independently and meaningfully. Whether you're young or old, working or retired, the evolving urban plan seeks to make neighbourhoods more livable, connected and future-ready for everyone. Softer touch Even as it tackles hard economic questions, the Draft Master Plan 2025 doesn't lose sight of softer, human-scale priorities. Included among the proposals are plans for green connectors, heritage trails, repurposed viaducts, and playful public spaces. These aren't decorative add-ons; they are essential components of a livable, imageable city. Such spaces encourage social connection, promote mental well-being, and help Singapore remain globally competitive as a place to live, not just work. The Draft Master Plan 2025: A vision in transition More than a technical update, the Draft Master Plan 2025 reflects a society in flux, one that is learning from past successes, adapting to a slower-growth environment, and daring to imagine a more resilient, layered future. It is not a call to transform everything, but an invitation to reimagine selectively. To rethink what should be intensified, repurposed, or left open-ended. In that spirit, it strikes a balance: between continuity and change, between pragmatism and vision.
CNA
2 hours ago
- CNA
CoreWeave beats quarterly revenue estimates on sturdy AI demand
CoreWeave beat Wall Street estimates for second-quarter revenue on Tuesday, driven by accelerating demand for the Nvidia-backed AI cloud computing firm's services. The company offers access to data centers and Nvidia chips, which are highly coveted for training and running large AI models amid intense competition. CoreWeave, which currently has 33 AI data centers up and running across the U.S. and Europe, focuses solely on GPU-based operations. Revenue backlog was $30.1 billion as of June 30, the company said. The company reported revenue of $1.21 billion for the second quarter, compared with analysts' average estimate of $1.08 billion, according to data compiled by LSEG.
