Taiwan detains Nvidia employee in Super Micro AI server export probe

Taiwan prosecutors detained a Nvidia employee as part of an investigation into alleged illegal exports of Super Micro AI servers to China, local media reported, according to Reuters. The Keelung District Prosecutors Office said on Tuesday that a suspect surnamed Chang was questioned after searches of his home and workplace on July 24. Prosecutors said he was later detained over risks he could flee, destroy evidence, or collude with others. The office did not name his employer. Taiwan's Mirror Media reported that Chang is an Nvidia employee. Nvidia did not confirm that. In a statement to Reuters, the company said it primarily sells products to well-known partners, including OEMs, that help ensure sales comply with U.S. export control rules. Prosecutors said the servers used Nvidia chips subject to U.S. export controls that since 2022 have barred export or sale of those semiconductors to mainland China. The action was described as a third round of searches after detentions in May of three people tied to alleged Super Micro AI server exports and detentions in late June of two Super Micro workers at its Taiwan unit. In March, the U.S. Justice Department charged three people associated with Super Micro, including a co-founder, with helping smuggle at least $2.5 billion worth of U.S. AI technology to China, Reuters noted.