TSMC chip found in Huawei AI accelerator, sparking US export violation concerns

Recently, TechInsights found a TSMC-made Ascend 910B chip in a Huawei AI accelerator. The technology research firm notified TSMC of this discovery, and TSMC immediately reported it to the US Department of Commerce.

TSMC emphasized that it had halted all semiconductor shipments to Huawei after September 15, 2020. The chipmaker stated, “We maintain a robust and comprehensive export system for monitoring and ensuring compliance.”

Earlier, TheInformation revealed that the US Department of Commerce was investigating TSMC for potentially producing products for Huawei. However, TSMC stated, “We are not aware of TSMC being the subject of any investigation at this time.”

Reuters, in the meantime, reported that the timing and method by which Huawei obtained the TSMC chip remain unknown. Notably, the 910B chip found in Huawei’s AI accelerator was produced before the US sanctions.

Huawei stated, “Since the US Department of Commerce amended the Foreign Direct Product Rule (FDPR) targeting our company in 2020, we have not produced any chips through TSMC” and added, “Huawei has never launched the 910B chip.”

Back in August 2020, the US Govt placed Huawei on a sanctions list, citing national security concerns. The ban prohibited transactions with semiconductor manufacturers, including TSMC, without a US government license.