US threatens compulsory chip data release

Businesses such as Intel and Infineon experienced indicated they would cooperate with a voluntary request for knowledge on the semiconductor shortage but the US Commerce Division mentioned it may perhaps make disclosure obligatory relying on the selection and good quality of responses.

The Reuters information agency famous the White Dwelling experienced created the request to automakers, chip suppliers and some others last thirty day period declaring the details would raise supply chain transparency and support fully grasp exactly where bottlenecks exist. The deadline for reaction was eight November.

“Companies which include Intel, GM, Infineon, and SK Hynix, have indicated that they strategy to be quite forthcoming with their knowledge. We are quite appreciative of their attempts and inspire other corporations to adhere to match,” a commerce spokesperson instructed Reuters.

“The (request for details) is voluntary but this details is very important to addressing considerations about transparency in the supply chain. Regardless of whether or not we have to use obligatory measures depends on how lots of corporations have interaction and the good quality of the knowledge shared.”

Intel, GM, Infineon and SK Hynix did not promptly react to Reuters’ requests for comment.

Reuters claimed the request experienced brought about worry in Taiwan because corporations such as Taiwan Semiconductor Producing (TSMC) would have to hand over sensitive knowledge. TSMC mentioned earlier this thirty day period it would not leak any sensitive business details.

TSMC mentioned in a assertion to Reuters it was making ready and would react to the US request for details.

South Korea’s trade ministry experienced also expressed worry over the request.

“The scope of the asked for knowledge is broad and a selection of operational tricks are integrated, which is a big worry in South Korea,” it mentioned in a six October assertion cited by Reuters.

On the other hand, the information agency added, South Korean trade minister Moon Sung-wook instructed a parliament committee this week corporations were being making ready to evaluation and post knowledge that could be delivered with no violating contractual confidentiality provisions or domestic legal guidelines.