Nexperia dispute widens as China goes it alone - Asian Tech Roundup

Plus: Australia now requires age verification for porn apps

Welcome to Computing's weekly roundup of tech news in Asia. This time we look at the dispute between Holland-based Nexperia and its Chinese parent, Australia’s age checks and Indonesia’s under-16s ban

China has warned of renewed global semiconductor shortages as a dispute between Dutch chipmaker Nexperia and its Chinese operations escalates.

The standoff began last October, when the Dutch government seized control of Nexperia, which is headquartered in the Netherlands, from its Chinese parent Wingtech on national security grounds

Beijing responded by imposing export controls on Chinese‑made Nexperia chips, causing disruption, particularly among carmakers.

This week, China’s commerce ministry accused Nexperia of disabling IT systems used by staff in China, warning the Netherlands would bear “full responsibility” for any chip shortages.

At the same time, Nexperia’s Chinese subsidiary announced that it has begun manufacturing its own semiconductors, marking a decisive break from its Dutch parent. According to media reports, the Chinese unit has already started small‑batch production of power and protection chips using 12‑inch silicon wafers - a capability Nexperia’s European operation does not currently have.

The components produced at the Chinese works are reportedly relatively mature technologies but ones that play a critical role in automotive electronics, power management and consumer devices. Analysts note that while the chips are not cutting‑edge, independent production could reduce Nexperia China’s reliance on European wafer supplies and accelerate China’s push for semiconductor self‑sufficiency.

Australia

• Australia has introduced a law requiring age verification for access to pornographic apps, with AI chatbots used to enforce compliance and protect minors. Source
• One in five Australian teenagers continue to use TikTok and Snapchat despite a government ban on social media platforms in schools. Source
• Anthropic is opening a Sydney office to support growing demand for its Claude AI models across APAC, marking its fourth regional hub after Tokyo, Bengaluru and Seoul. Source

China

• China has warned the Netherlands to resolve the Nexperia dispute, which has led to suspended chip shipments and significant shortages in the automotive industry. The Dutch government seized control of Nexperia from its Chinese parent, Wingtech, citing concerns over technology transfer. Source
• At the same time, Nexperia’s Chinese subsidiary has started manufacturing its own chips – a sign of a major break from its Dutch parent. Source
• Top graduates from China's elite universities are increasingly taking factory and manufacturing jobs, reflecting a shift in career preferences amid economic uncertainty and changing job market dynamics. Source
• Apple has reduced commission fees for its China App Store following pressure from government authorities. Source
• A Chinese AI agent was discovered attempting unauthorised crypto-mining, raising concerns about the security and oversight of advanced AI systems in China. Source
• The CEO of Altana has warned that China is rapidly consolidating dominance over digital supply chains. Source
• China is launching a society-wide push for AI adoption, aiming to create new jobs and rejuvenate the economy through widespread integration of AI. Source
• Authorities have issued a second warning about OpenClaw‘s security risks, as local governments continue to subsidise its adoption despite privacy concerns. Source
• AI-related job vacancies in China grew approximately 12-fold year-on-year according to a report by professional social networking platform Maimai. Source

India

• The state of Telangana has passed a law to regulate social media misinformation, targeting platforms and users who spread false information online. Source
• India is considering new legislation to impose age restrictions on social media use. Source
• The Supreme Court of India is hearing a challenge to the Digital Personal Data Protection Act (DPDPA), which could impact how personal data is regulated nationwide. Source
• Apple now makes a quarter of its iPhones in India, having previously based almost all production in China. Source
• More good news for Apple came from two sources who said that India is planning new incentives for local production of mobile phones after its flagship programme ‌for the burgeoning sector expires this month. Source
• Google is rolling out Gemini integration in Chrome to India, enabling users to access AI-powered features such as tab-based assistance, content summarisation and integration with Google services, alongside support for multiple Indian languages. Source
• The tablet market in India contracted by 21.7% in 2025, according to a report from IDC. The only companies managing to grow their brand in 2025 were Lenovo and Xiaomi. Source

Japan

• Japan has set a target to increase sales of domestically made chips fivefold by 2040, seeking to strengthen its semiconductor industry and reduce reliance on imports. Source
• US startup Nuro is testing its self-driving technology in Tokyo, where dense traffic, different road conventions, and unfamiliar signage make it a testing environment for the nascent tech. Source

South Korea

• South Korea’s senior presidential secretary for AI, Ha Jong-woo, says AI cooperation with the UAE could accelerate after the current Middle East conflict ends. Source
• Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) Chief Executive Lisa Su is expected to meet Samsung Chairman Jay Y. Lee in Seoul next week as companies race to secure high-bandwidth memory chips for AI systems. Source

Elsewhere in Asia

• Southeast Asia: Meta, working with law enforcement, says it has disabled over 150,000 accounts associated with scam centres in countries like Cambodia, Myanmar and Laos. Source
• Indonesia: Indonesia is set to ban social media access for children under 16, aiming to address concerns about online safety and mental health among young users. Source