Cybersecurity Association of China calls for cybersecurity review into Intel
Intel may be on shaky ground in China.
On Wednesday, the Cybersecurity Association of China (CSAC) released an article calling for regulators to launch a cybersecurity review against Intel.
Yes, that cybersecurity review. The cybersecurity review that was used by China's cyberspace regulator (CAC) as a political pressure mechanism against Didi and Micron.
In the article, CSAC argued that Intel's CPUs are full of cybersecurity vulnerabilities.
More problematically, they also argued that Intel acts against China's interests:
- "Nearly a quarter of Intel's annual revenue...comes from the Chinese market...but the company undermines China's interests and threatens China's national security."
- "The US government passed the so-called 'Chips and Science Act' to unreasonably suppress China's semiconductor industry. Intel was the biggest beneficiary."
- "Intel has actively [suppressed] China on Xinjiang-related issues."
- "Intel cut off supplies and services to Chinese companies such as Huawei and ZTE."
Even more worrying: CSAC chairman Zhao Zeliang was a deputy director at the CAC until the end of 2023.
- That means the CSAC has close relationships with CAC leaders.
Our take: It's unclear whether the CSAC is threatening Intel at the CAC's behest, or if CSAC is just being overzealous.
- It's also unclear if the CAC will actually launch a cybersecurity review into Intel.
- After all, the CAC has never issued a public warning before launching a review.
Still, this does sound like a threat against Intel and US companies more broadly.
Our question: Is China gearing up to make life difficult for companies complying with US sanctions?