In April, Beijing began a national security review of Micron and its products due to “safety risks due to latent product issues” allegedly found in some of its products sold to Chinese customers. On Sunday, Chinese authorities declared that Micron had failed the evaluation. The Chinese Cyberspace Authority (CAC) stated that the review had “uncovered significant potential network security vulnerabilities associated with Micron’s products that pose a major security risk to our nation’s critical supply chain and impact national security.” Consequently, the CAC directed critical information infrastructure operators in China to stop purchasing Micron products.
Dylan Patel, a semiconductor industry analyst, characterized the ban as political theater in a tweet. He noted that memory is a commodity and supply chains can adapt within a few quarters. Beijing’s motives for this retaliation are likely due to recent restrictions on US technology exports, which are designed to undermine China’s economy and government by limiting the flow of advanced semiconductors to the country. China also recently reminded the world of allegations that US security agencies are actively exploiting zero-day vulnerabilities in US-made technology products.
Patel also pointed out that China can easily find alternatives to Micron’s products, as memory is readily available and worldwide production is increasing. China’s action comes at a curious time, just a day after the G7 countries pledged to improve collective assessment, preparedness, deterrence and response to economic coercion. The G7 aims to protect global supply chains against undue influence, espionage, the leakage of illegal information and digital sabotage.
