Taiwanese prosecutors have detained a man reported to be an Nvidia employee as they expand an investigation into the alleged illegal export of advanced Super Micro AI servers containing restricted US technology to mainland China.
The Keelung District Prosecutors’ Office said on Tuesday that investigators questioned a suspect, identified only by the surname Chang, after searching his home and workplace on July 24. While prosecutors did not disclose his employer, local outlet Mirror Media reported that Chang works for Nvidia.
Prosecutors said the court approved Chang’s detention after they argued he posed a flight risk and could tamper with evidence or collude with accomplices or witnesses.
Investigators said the servers at the centre of the probe were equipped with Nvidia chips subject to US export restrictions introduced in 2022. The measures prohibit the export or sale of certain advanced semiconductors and artificial intelligence technologies to China.
Nvidia did not confirm whether the detained suspect is one of its employees. In a statement, the chipmaker said it primarily sells its products to established original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), adding that it works closely with its partners to ensure compliance with US export control regulations.
The latest detention marks the third phase of Taiwan’s investigation into the alleged export network. Earlier operations in May led to the detention of three people suspected of illegally shipping high-end Super Micro AI servers fitted with restricted Nvidia chips to China.
A second round of searches in late June resulted in the detention of two employees at Super Micro’s Taiwan unit as investigators widened their inquiry into the suspected export scheme.
The case follows separate action by US authorities. In March, the US Department of Justice charged three people linked to Super Micro, including one of the company’s co-founders, with allegedly helping to smuggle at least $2.5 billion worth of US artificial intelligence technology to China in violation of US export control laws.
Taiwan, the world’s leading producer of advanced semiconductors used in artificial intelligence applications, has tightened export controls in recent years to prevent sensitive technologies from reaching China as tensions between Washington and Beijing over advanced technology and national security continue to escalate.
Goodness Anunobi
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