Chinese cybersecurity experts warn about the installation of backdoors in CPUs by Intel, allegedly for the NSA.

Recently, following China's accusations of Volt Typhoon as a CIA asset, a group of cybersecurity experts from the China Cybersecurity Association (CSAC) has pointed out that Intel products sold in China exhibit "frequent vulnerabilities and high failure rates." Furthermore, the CSAC has stated that these products pose "serious risks to national security," claiming that U.S. semiconductor manufacturers have incorporated unauthorized NSA access into nearly all of their central processors (CPUs) since 2008, with the goal of establishing a "next-generation security defense system."

According to the CSAC, this constitutes a significant threat to the critical information infrastructure of various countries, including China. The tensions between the U.S. and China have led both nations to exchange similar accusations of cyber espionage and implement a series of restrictions. Recently, U.S. lawmakers have pushed the idea of imposing tighter limitations on suppliers transferring advanced manufacturing equipment to Huawei, a company that was placed on the Entity List in 2019, prohibiting its trade with U.S. companies.

Additionally, China has been accused of infiltrating U.S. critical infrastructure to identify potential targets in the event of a military conflict. In the UK, government ministries have warned that state-backed actors from China could already have access to British critical infrastructure.

For its part, Intel's unit in China issued a statement on WeChat, assuring that they will maintain communication with the relevant authorities, address concerns, and reaffirm their commitment to the security and quality of their products. In an additional statement, Intel emphasized that, as a multinational company with nearly 40 years of operation in the country, it strictly complies with the existing laws and regulations. They highlighted that they prioritize product security and quality and are actively collaborating with customers and the industry to ensure these standards.

The CSAC has called for the Cyberspace Administration of China to initiate an investigation into vulnerabilities and backdoors in Intel products sold in the country to "effectively protect China's national security."