US-based technology company Nvidia took action on China-related espionage allegations made against its founder and CEO Jensen Huang. The company's board of directors announced that an independent investigation was launched to examine reports that Huang was the target of foreign intelligence activities.
The investigation will be conducted by a committee consisting of independent board members, with the support of legal advisors. Nvidia stated that at this stage there is no evidence that company secrets or US national security have been compromised.
CHINESE BUSINESSPERSON UNDER THE SPOTLIGHT
At the center of the discussion is Chinese citizen Alice Huang, who works as a senior manager at Singapore-based data center company Megaspeed.
According to the news of The New York Times (NYT), based on unnamed sources, US intelligence has prepared assessments that Alice Huang was recruited by China's main intelligence agency, the Ministry of State Security.
It has been suggested that Alice Huang may have tried to gather information about the company's advanced artificial intelligence chips through her close relationship with Nvidia's CEO.
Intelligence assessments claimed that Huang was also intended to be used by the Washington administration to loosen chip export restrictions to China.
BILLIONS OF DOLLAR DEALS
It is stated that Megaspeed, where Alice Huang works, has billions of dollars of artificial intelligence chip purchase agreements with Nvidia.
It is reported that the company, which operates data centers in Southeast Asia, rented its computing capacity to Chinese technology giant Alibaba.
It is claimed that US officials suspect Megaspeed of helping deliver advanced chips, whose exports are restricted, to China.
Nvidia, on the other hand, argues that its customers cannot access the company's confidential business information.
HE ACCEPTED THE RELATIONSHIP
Sending an e-mail to his employees after the allegations, 63-year-old Jensen Huang admitted that he had an affair with Alice Huang and apologized to his wife and family.
Huang said he took responsibility, stating that his actions hurt his family.
The CEO also apologized to the company's employees and shareholders and announced that he would fully cooperate with the investigation initiated by the board of directors.
Huang emphasized that he is committed to protecting Nvidia and supporting the national security of the United States.
THE WHITE HOUSE HAD ALREADY WARNED
According to NYT, US intelligence previously conveyed its assessments about Alice Huang to the Donald Trump administration.
It was claimed that President Trump did not intervene even though he was informed about the issue. Trump stated that he did not regret his decision and said that Jensen Huang should remain at the helm of Nvidia.
The Chinese administration rejected the accusations that Alice Huang was assigned for intelligence purposes and described the news as baseless.
The results of the independent investigation initiated by Nvidia have not yet been announced. The company management stated that it has confidence in Huang and will provide the necessary information based on the results of the investigation.
