Santa Clara: Nvidia has launched an independent investigation into reports that its chief executive, Jensen Huang, was targeted by a foreign intelligence operation, raising concerns about the security of sensitive technology and the growing rivalry between the United States and China.
The company announced on November 8 that its board of directors had established an independent committee to examine the allegations. The committee will be assisted by external legal advisers and will review all available information relating to the matter.
In a statement, Nvidia said Huang supported the investigation and had agreed to cooperate fully. The board also said it had no reason to believe that US national security or the company's confidential information had been compromised. It expressed confidence in Huang and the company's leadership team.
The investigation follows reports that Alice Huang, a former executive of Singapore based technology company Megaspeed, was suspected of working for Chinese intelligence and passing information to Beijing. The reports, citing US intelligence sources, also alleged that she had a close relationship with Jensen Huang.
The allegations have not been established through a public judicial finding. There is also no publicly confirmed evidence that Jensen Huang knowingly participated in an intelligence operation or transferred confidential Nvidia information to China.
The Nvidia chief executive has separately acknowledged being unfaithful to his wife and apologised to his family and colleagues. In a message to employees, he accepted responsibility for his personal conduct and reaffirmed his commitment to the company. He also pledged to support US national security and cooperate fully with the investigation.
The development has attracted attention in Washington, where senior Republican lawmakers are seeking further explanations from the Nvidia chief executive.
Brian Mast, chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, John Moolenaar, chairman of the House Select Committee on China, and Rick Crawford, chairman of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, have requested a closed door briefing with Huang on November 18.
The lawmakers want information about his reported interactions with Alice Huang, Nvidia's security procedures and possible risks involving access to advanced American technology. They asked him to accept the proposed date or suggest an alternative by November 11.
The request reflects growing concern among US lawmakers about the protection of advanced artificial intelligence technology from foreign intelligence operations. However, the proposed briefing does not mean that Congress has established wrongdoing by Huang or Nvidia.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio declined to comment on the allegations when questioned on November 8. President Donald Trump, meanwhile, expressed support for Huang, describing him as an honourable person who had done an excellent job for the United States. Trump also said he hoped the situation would be resolved satisfactorily.
China has rejected the allegations. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun previously described the claims as groundless speculation and an attempt to smear the country.
Singapore has also issued an important clarification concerning reports about Alice Huang. Its Ministry of Home Affairs said on October 31 that neither the government nor its officials had expressed concerns to the Wall Street Journal about her relationship with Jensen Huang. It also disputed claims that Singaporean officials had conducted the investigation into her alleged intelligence connections described in the newspaper's reporting.
The controversy is connected to earlier concerns about Megaspeed and the international distribution of advanced artificial intelligence chips.
The Singapore based company has attracted scrutiny over suspicions that Nvidia processors purchased for overseas data centres may have been made available to customers in China, potentially bypassing US export restrictions.
In October 2025, US Republican Senator Tom Cotton asked the Commerce Department to investigate allegations that Nvidia chips had been diverted through Malaysia and Indonesia for customers in China. Nvidia said at the time that its own inquiry had not identified evidence that its products had been diverted.
Singapore authorities have separately confirmed that investigations into Megaspeed are ongoing but have not publicly disclosed their specific subject. The government has also rejected reports that its officials investigated Alice Huang over alleged links to Chinese intelligence. These separate developments should not be treated as evidence that she participated in illegal activities or espionage.
The wider issue highlights the challenges facing Washington as it seeks to restrict China's access to advanced computing technology. Since 2022, the United States has introduced export controls on advanced semiconductors and related equipment to limit China's ability to develop powerful artificial intelligence systems and strengthen its military capabilities.
Nvidia is particularly important in this competition because its graphics processing units are widely used to develop and operate advanced artificial intelligence systems. Its international business relationships and the movement of its processors have therefore attracted close attention from US policymakers.
The controversy has also raised questions among investors about the company's leadership and business relationships. Nvidia shares and related trading instruments fell by around 3.4 per cent in out of hours trading on November 9, according to market reports. The company is scheduled to announce its next financial results on November 17.
Meanwhile, South Korea's government has indicated that contracted deliveries of Nvidia graphics processing units are expected to continue without disruption. The development highlights the importance of Nvidia's products to international technology companies and governments investing in artificial intelligence.
The outcome of Nvidia's independent investigation could have important consequences for corporate governance, technology security and the international semiconductor industry.
For now, the company has maintained its confidence in Huang, while the allegations remain under examination. The investigation is expected to provide further clarity on whether any sensitive information was exposed and whether existing safeguards were sufficient to protect the company from possible foreign intelligence targeting.