News

Chip shipment tracking: secret U.S. monitoring

Article Highlights:
  • Hidden trackers placed in shipments of servers and advanced chips
  • Targeted measure for shipments deemed high-risk
  • Aim to detect diversions to China
  • Devices found in packaging and inside servers
  • Vendors mentioned: Dell and Super Micro; chips from Nvidia and AMD
  • Possible agency involvement: BIS, HSI and FBI
  • Intended to collect evidence to enforce export controls
  • Reporting based on sources cited by Reuters
Chip shipment tracking: secret U.S. monitoring

Chip shipment tracking: summary

Chip shipment tracking: U.S. authorities have embedded location trackers in selected shipments of servers and advanced chips to detect illegal diversions to destinations under export restrictions, notably China. The practice targets shipments deemed high-risk and is used in specific investigations.

Key details

  • Trackers have been hidden in packaging and sometimes inside servers
  • Sources point to server vendors such as Dell and Super Micro and chips from Nvidia and AMD
  • Possible involvement of the Commerce Department’s Bureau of Industry and Security, Homeland Security Investigations and the FBI

Purpose and limitations

The aim is to detect diversions and gather evidence for enforcement of export controls. Reuters’ reporting is based on sources; frequency and start date of the tactic are not publicly confirmed.

FAQ

  • What was done? Trackers were placed in selected shipments to monitor diversions toward China.
  • Which shipments? Primarily servers containing advanced chips from known suppliers, per industry sources.
  • Why? To enforce export controls and produce evidence against violators.
  • Which agencies? Commerce BIS, HSI and the FBI may be involved.

Source: Reuters

Chip shipment tracking: summary Chip shipment tracking: U.S. authorities have embedded location trackers in selected shipments of servers and advanced chips [...] Evol Magazine
Tag:
China