In a covert operation to enforce export controls, the U.S. government has been embedding location-tracking devices in advanced computing chips suspected of being rerouted to China, according to a Reuters exclusive report. Two sources familiar with the program revealed that authorities are selectively monitoring shipments by hiding tracking technology - ranging from visible exterior units to thumb-sized devices concealed inside server components.
The operation specifically targets servers containing restricted Nvidia and AMD AI chips shipped by manufacturers like Dell and Super Micro. In one documented 2024 case, a shipment of Nvidia-equipped Dell servers contained multiple tracking layers - with obvious external devices supplemented by hidden internal units. The initiative expands longstanding export monitoring tactics previously applied to aircraft parts and other sensitive technologies.
While the exact technological capabilities remain classified, the program represents an unprecedented physical surveillance approach to complement existing export restrictions on advanced semiconductors. Major chipmakers and server manufacturers, including Dell and Super Micro, declined to comment on the tracking measures when contacted by Reuters. The revelation comes as Washington intensifies efforts to prevent China from acquiring cutting-edge AI computing capabilities through third-party channels.
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