Nvidia (NASDAQ:NVDA) has once again emphasized that its chips are free of hidden access points or remote shutdown capabilities, pushing back against growing calls from U.S. lawmakers for tighter hardware controls.
In a blog post published Tuesday, the semiconductor giant stated that its graphics processing units (GPUs) “do not and should not have kill switches and backdoors.”
“That’s not how trustworthy systems are built — and never will be,” the company asserted.
Nvidia argued that embedding such features into its chips would create serious security risks, describing the inclusion of kill switches or backdoors as a potential “gift to hackers and hostile actors.” The firm also warned that such measures would weaken trust in American-made technology and destabilize the broader global tech infrastructure.
The statement appears to be a direct response to recent policy suggestions from U.S. lawmakers and industry commentators advocating for built-in remote access and location tracking to prevent the misuse or illegal diversion of advanced chips. Some policymakers have proposed that Nvidia and its peers implement mechanisms to monitor where their chips are used, especially in efforts to stop their flow to sanctioned countries.
These discussions intensified following the Biden administration’s decision to restrict exports of high-end AI chips to China amid escalating tensions in the U.S.-China trade conflict. Despite the lack of formal legislation mandating hardware alterations, U.S. officials have expressed frustration over reports that Chinese firms have still been able to acquire Nvidia chips in defiance of sanctions.
Nvidia has consistently pushed back on proposals for adding remote control features or geolocation tracking, arguing that such additions would compromise the integrity and appeal of its technology.
Last week, the company was reportedly called in by Chinese regulators who voiced concerns about the impact of potential U.S. policy changes on chip availability. Meanwhile, Nvidia has indicated it plans to resume sales of its H20 chip in China following signs of easing tensions between Washington and Beijing.
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