Beijing denies spying allegations involving Jensen Huang associate
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on La Nouvelle Tribune and MyJoyOnline
Nvidia has opened an independent investigation after reports accused Alice Huang, a Chinese businesswoman close to its CEO Jensen Huang, of working for Beijing intelligence. China rejects the allegations as baseless speculation, while the board says it has no evidence of any compromise of Nvidia's secrets or US national security, reports MyJoyOnline.
Jensen Huang separately acknowledged that he had been unfaithful to his wife and apologised to her and their children. He said he fully accepted responsibility for his actions and assured that he would cooperate with Nvidia's investigation, while reaffirming his commitment to leading the company and protecting its interests as well as US national security.
Alice Huang, also known as Huang Le, is linked to Singaporean data centre company Megaspeed. US intelligence officials believe, according to anonymous sources cited by the New York Times, that she was acting on behalf of the Chinese government. Surveillance reportedly helped identify Jensen Huang as one of her contacts through a procedure known as "unmasking".
Three Republican chairmen of House committees have asked Jensen Huang to appear later in November to explain Nvidia's security protocols in the face of foreign espionage. They cited concerns over China's access to sensitive US technologies.
Nvidia's artificial intelligence chips are at the centre of US restrictions on exports to China. The Trump administration announced in January that it would allow the sale of the H200 chip to Chinese customers under certain conditions, after it had previously been subject to restrictions.
