Nvidia Board Launches Independent Probe Into Foreign Intelligence Targeting Of CEO Jensen Huang

ISTANBUL, Nov 9 – The board of directors of US semiconductor giant Nvidia announced an independent investigation on Sunday, November 8, 2026, following reports that founder and CEO Jensen Huang was targeted by a foreign intelligence operation.

A committee composed of independent board members, assisted by external legal counsel, will oversee the internal inquiry and evaluate all available information.

The board emphasized that it prioritizes American national and economic security, describing both as essential to the core interests of the company and its shareholders. While the review proceeds, board members noted they have “no reason to believe that either national security or NVIDIA secrets were compromised.”

The inquiry follows disclosures that US Secretary of State Marco Rubio oversaw a classified spring 2026 intelligence memo alerting top officials that Huang maintained a relationship with Alice Huang, a senior executive at Singapore-based Megaspeed accused of operating for China’s Ministry of State Security. Federal authorities have been investigating Megaspeed over allegations of illicitly funneling restricted artificial intelligence semiconductors into mainland China.

According to The New York Times, Huang acknowledged to the board that he had been “intimate” with Alice Huang. In a draft message addressed to employees, Huang apologized for his conduct, stating: “I was unfaithful to my wife. My actions hurt her and our children. There is no excuse for what I did. I am deeply sorry.”

The board confirmed that Huang will continue leading Nvidia as CEO throughout the duration of the investigation. He has expressed full support for the review and committed to cooperating completely with independent counsel.

Nvidia previously stated that Huang’s interactions with Alice Huang were “not unusual or unexpected,” characterizing them as standard commercial engagements and noting that Megaspeed never received classified corporate data or trade secrets. Meanwhile, Beijing rejected related media reports, dismissing the spying allegations as “unsubstantiated” and “nothing but a smear against China.”

Board Panel Structure, Intelligence Memo, and Corporate Apology

Key investigative elements, federal intelligence reports, and official corporate responses include:

• Investigative Oversight: Panel of independent Nvidia board members supported by outside legal counsel.
• National Security Status: Board reports no indication of compromised trade secrets or national security breaches.
• Classified Memo & Target Company: Spring 2026 State Department memo led by Marco Rubio flagged ties to Alice Huang of Singapore-based Megaspeed (under federal probe for AI chip smuggling to China).
• CEO Response: Jensen Huang acknowledged an intimate relationship, issued a public apology to his family and company, and pledged full cooperation while remaining CEO.
• Official Denials: Nvidia previously classified engagements as routine business communications, while China dismissed foreign intelligence operation claims as groundless smears.

–NMT