The Chinese government will investigate US-based Micron as a potential cyberthreat, in the latest move in an ongoing semiconductor trade dispute that is disrupting the chip supply chain. The Chinese government is instituting a cybersecurity review of US-based memory chip maker Micron’s products being sold in the country, in the latest move in the ongoing semiconductor trade dispute that pits China against the US and its allies. The rupture between China and the West over semiconductors is causing chip supply chain disruptions that threaten many of the fastest-growing parts of the technology sector – mainly AI and cloud technology. The chip war is also putting global enterprises in the crosshairs, as auto manufacturing and a host of other sectors are increasingly dependent on the availability of advanced silicon for growth. China states concern over national security A brief Chinese government statement issued on March 31 said that the review of Micron is being undertaken “in order to ensure the security of the key information infrastructure supply chain, prevent network security risks caused by hidden product problems, and maintain national security,” according to a machine translation of the announcement. A series of measures, taken by the US presidential administrations of Joe Biden and Donald Trump, have barred the use of Chinese-made hardware in US networks and imposed export controls designed to keep the latest computing technology out of China’s hands. In early October, the Biden administration issued new export controls that block US companies from selling advanced semiconductors and equipment to certain Chinese manufacturers unless they receive a special license. In mid-December, the administration expanded those restrictions. The purpose of the restrictions, as stated by the Biden administration, is to deny China access to advanced technology for military modernization and human rights abuses. Further efforts to bring chip manufacturing back to US shores, like the CHIPS and Science Act, are part of the growing standoff between the two countries. US concerned about security of Chinese tech The implications of China’s investigation into Micron are similar to US concerns about companies like Huawei and ZTE — those firms’ close ties to the Chinese government, along with a long-standing pattern of industrial espionage linked to China, prompted a series of restrictions and the eventual ban on their presence in US networks. Other countries, including the UK and Sweden, have imposed similar bans for similar reasons. The Netherlands recently announced details of plans to restrict export of advanced chip-making tech to China. Others still, like Germany, are scrutinizing the use of Chinese equipment in their major carrier networks, and could follow suit. The US has also teamed with Taiwain, Japan and South Korea – all major chip producers – to create a supply chain protection system, in order to avoid major disruptions like the ones that occurred as a result of the COVID pandemic and the war in Ukraine. Additional efforts at chip-based diplomacy have also taken place between the US and India, which recently signed a memorandum of understanding aimed at reducing both nations’ dependence on China for semiconductors. A widely distributed statement from Micron said that the company is aware of the Chinese government’s investigation and that it plans to cooperate fully. Related content news analysis Why Google's Pixel 8a may be the most important phone of 2024 Don't be fooled: This unassuming midranger holds some outsized significance for Android and for you — regardless of whether you ever intend to buy it. By JR Raphael May 08, 2024 12 mins Smartphones Google Android opinion FTC ban on non-competes would put employees in the driver's seat If the ban goes into effect, the talent wars will broaden and intensify — and return-to-work efforts would likely crumple. By Scot Finnie May 08, 2024 5 mins Technology Industry IT Jobs IT Skills news analysis AI chip shortages continue, but there may be an end in sight While GPUs are in high demand, they still need high-performance memory chips for AI apps. The market is tight for both — for now. By Lucas Mearian May 07, 2024 7 mins CPUs and Processors Generative AI Technology Industry feature Windows 11 Insider Previews: What’s in the latest build? Get the latest info on new preview builds of Windows 11 as they roll out to Windows Insiders. Now updated for Build 22635.3570 for the Beta Channel and Build 26120.461 for the Dev channel, both released on May 3, 2024. By Preston Gralla May 07, 2024 252 mins Small and Medium Business Microsoft Windows 11 Podcasts Videos Resources Events SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER From our editors straight to your inbox Get started by entering your email address below. Please enter a valid email address Subscribe