Today’s top line: Voters approved dozens of local measures restricting data centres in this week’s midterms, creating new hurdles for hyperscalers. A US intelligence-based memo reported by the NYT and FT says a Megaspeed executive was recruited to spy on Nvidia’s CEO.
Voters pass local measures restricting data centres after midterms
Summary: In this week’s midterms, voters approved dozens of local ballot measures that would restrict or impose moratoriums on data centre projects, TechCrunch reports (Nov 7). The coverage says almost all of those measures passed and that candidates such as Texas governor-elect Gina Hinojosa campaigned on restricting data centres.
Digest: Those local votes signal growing grassroots resistance to large data centre builds and could create permitting and political roadblocks for hyperscalers and cloud operators in key states. Businesses should expect longer approval timelines and more local opposition when planning new facilities.
Source: TechCrunch
US memo says Megaspeed exec recruited to spy on Nvidia CEO
Summary: A memo circulated earlier this year, reportedly based on US intelligence and reported by the New York Times and Financial Times, claimed Alice Huang, an executive at Singapore-based Megaspeed, was recruited by China’s Ministry of State Security to spy on Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang (TechCrunch, Nov 7). The FT report said the memo also alleged a romantic relationship; Nvidia called the interactions “not unusual” and said it does not share classified information. A separate NYT report found that New Matrix, a Chinese company authorised by the US Commerce Department to buy advanced Nvidia chips, listed an office that appeared to be a “hollow gray shell,” raising concerns that it could be a front.
Digest: The allegations heighten national-security scrutiny of supply chains and authorised foreign buyers of advanced chips. Watch for further inquiries and possible changes in export control enforcement or buyer vetting.
Source: TechCrunch
Quick hits
- OpenAI signals policy shifts after voter pushback on data centres – TechCrunch reports firms such as OpenAI have indicated they may change policies in response to local opposition to data centre projects. (TechCrunch)
- Elon Musk’s large Republican donations yielded little political relief – The article notes Musk donated about half a billion dollars to Republicans but now has companies headquartered in a state that swung blue. (TechCrunch)
- NYT found New Matrix’s listed office was a “hollow gray shell” – The New York Times’ reporting, cited by TechCrunch, raises concern that an authorised buyer of advanced Nvidia chips may be a front. (TechCrunch)