Intel has denied the allegations made by the Chinese Cybersecurity Association (CSAC) regarding the presence of backdoors in their chips. The Chinese side had previously claimed that Intel has been inserting backdoors into its processors since 2008, purportedly at the direction of the US National Security Agency (NSA). Refuting the accusations, Intel stated that it complies with local laws and prioritizes safety and product quality.
CSAC has accused Intel products of containing vulnerabilities that are prone to operation issues and have a high failure rate. The Association criticized Intel for what they perceive as an irresponsible attitude towards customers. They have called for an audit of Intel chips in China to protect national security and consumer rights, pointing out the significant portion of Intel’s revenue that comes from the Chinese market.
Responding to the accusations through their WeChat account, Intel emphasized its nearly 40 years of experience in China as an international corporation. The company expressed readiness to work with relevant authorities to clarify the situation and reiterated its commitment to local laws and product quality.
The accusations come amidst escalating tensions between the United States and China in the realm of cybersecurity. The US has accused Chinese hackers of targeting critical infrastructure, leading to sanctions that restrict the export of advanced chips to China in an effort to curb Beijing’s military capabilities.