Islamabad, Aug 11, 2025: Chinese state-affiliated media has raised alarms over the safety of Nvidia H20 chips, warning that the AI processors could contain a hidden hardware “backdoor” capable of triggering remote shutdowns.
The warning was issued by Yuyuan Tantian, a social media account linked to China’s state broadcaster CCTV, in a WeChat post on Sunday. The statement described the H20 as “unsafe, outdated, and harmful to the environment,” urging buyers to steer clear of the product.
The Nvidia H20 chips were designed for the Chinese market following U.S. export restrictions on high-end AI processors in late 2023. Although initially blocked from sale in April under the Trump administration, the ban was lifted in July.
On July 31, China’s Cyberspace Administration called Nvidia in for discussions regarding possible security loopholes. Nvidia has strongly rejected the claims, maintaining that its chips do not contain any concealed access points or remote control mechanisms. The company reaffirmed this stance on Sunday in response to the Yuyuan Tantian report.
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This backlash mirrors earlier criticism from People’s Daily, China’s top state newspaper, which pressed Nvidia to present “clear and convincing evidence” to address security fears. With Nvidia H20 chips now at the center of a political and technological storm, the debate over their safety continues to intensify.
