Nvidia has issued a flat denial of the existence of tracking chips in its hardware, following reports that the Federal Government allegedly placed tracking devices in shipments of AI server tech thought to be at risk of diversion to China. Earlier this week, Reuters reported that anonymous sources claim U.S. authorities are employing this tactic as part of their investigation into the alleged smuggling of banned AI chips into China. In a statement to Tom’s Hardware, an Nvidia spokesperson simply stated, “We don’t install secret tracking devices in our products.” While the story in question lays the tracking at the feet of Washington, rather than any companies whose products are involved, Nvidia’s staunch denail reflects a desire to distance itself from reports as it prepares to resume selling H20 chips in China. According to the report, the alleged tracking doesn’t impact all shipments, but only “targeted” shipments believed to be at a high risk of being diverted to China. Despite the affordability and ubiquity of trackers, it will be prohibitively expensive to place several in all servers that are going through customs. It’s more likely that the authorities are allegedly doing this to aid in a specific investigation. Although placing a tracker on a package typically requires a court order, Reuters notes that export enforcement agents may sometimes do so with administrative approval only.

Full report : NVIDIA responds after Washington accused of secretly tracking AI server shipments at risk of diversion to China.