Beijing, October 12, 2025 — U.S. semiconductor giant Qualcomm (NASDAQ: QCOM) has admitted it did not inform Chinese authorities when completing its acquisition of Israel-based vehicle communication chipmaker Autotalks in June, China’s State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) said on Sunday.

The disclosure came two days after SAMR launched an antitrust investigation into Qualcomm, examining whether the U.S. firm violated China’s Anti-Monopoly Law by failing to declare certain details of the acquisition. Qualcomm has not immediately responded to requests for comment.

According to SAMR, Qualcomm was informed in March 2024 that the deal required regulatory approval. In response, Qualcomm notified the regulator that it would not pursue the transaction. Despite this, Qualcomm went ahead with the acquisition in June 2025 without informing or communicating with SAMR, which subsequently opened a formal investigation. The regulator confirmed that Qualcomm acknowledged these facts.

The case follows a series of high-profile antitrust probes in China and underscores the regulator’s continued scrutiny of transactions involving strategic technologies. SAMR officials emphasized that the investigation is a routine law enforcement action conducted under China’s anti-monopoly framework, noting that while the deal did not meet the standard filing threshold, there was evidence suggesting it could restrict competition.

Background on Autotalks and the Acquisition

Founded in 2008, Autotalks is a fabless semiconductor company specializing in vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communications. The company developed the industry’s first dedicated V2X chipset and continues to lead the sector with innovative solutions. V2X enables vehicles to communicate directly with each other and with surrounding infrastructure, enhancing road safety and traffic efficiency.

Autotalks’ products support all major global standards, including DSRC and C-V2X (LTE-V2X and 5G-V2X), and the company is the only provider offering a globally compatible V2X solution that meets stringent automotive safety, functional safety, and reliability requirements.

In May 2023, Qualcomm announced a final acquisition agreement for Autotalks through its subsidiary, Qualcomm Technologies Inc. The deal, which involves core in-vehicle communication technology, faced regulatory scrutiny in the U.S. and EU, delaying approval. Qualcomm initially terminated the acquisition in March 2024 but renegotiated and completed the deal in June 2025. Autotalks’ technology has since been integrated into Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Digital Chassis portfolio, designed for secure, cross-region, and cross-vehicle compatibility, including two-wheeled vehicles. Existing DSRC and C-V2X projects will continue, with a development roadmap focused on improving safety for all road users.

Regulatory Perspective and Next Steps

SAMR stated that it will continue the investigation objectively and impartially, adhering to Chinese laws and regulations. Qualcomm has responded to the probe, indicating that it is actively cooperating with the regulator and remains committed to supporting its customers and partners’ growth.