Taiwan detains Nvidia worker over chip probe

TAIPEI (AFP) — Taiwanese prosecutors have detained an Nvidia employee as part of an investigation into the alleged smuggling of the US chipmaker’s advanced AI chips to China, a source familiar with the case told AFP on Tuesday.

The employee was detained after investigators raided his home and workplace on 24 July, the Keelung District Prosecutors Office said. While the office did not identify Nvidia, it said the suspect is under investigation for offenses including “the falsification of business documents under the Criminal Code.”

The United States restricts exports of Nvidia’s most advanced AI chips to China under export controls aimed at limiting Beijing’s access to cutting-edge artificial intelligence technology.

Officials said in May they were investigating shipments of “high-end” AI servers made by Super Micro Computer and equipped with advanced Nvidia chips to China, Macau and Hong Kong in violation of US export controls.

“This Nvidia employee was identified as a person involved in the case after investigators analysed the relevant evidence following the previous round of searches targeting Super Micro,” the source told AFP.

Nvidia did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Prosecutors said the suspect is “strongly suspected of having committed the offenses and that there is a risk of flight, destruction of evidence, and collusion with accomplices or witnesses.”

Seven people are being held in connection with the investigation, including the Nvidia employee, two Super Micro employees and one employee of Taiwan-listed Albatron Technology. Authorities allege they forged documents to ship about 50 Super Micro servers to China. Some of the servers were cleared by Taiwan customs before being routed through Japan, an official previously told.