Nvidia Faces Data Theft Allegations from Valeo. 💻🇫🇷
Nvidia, known for its advancements in artificial intelligence, is now embroiled in a legal battle with Valeo, a French automotive technology company. The dispute revolves around allegations of data theft by a former Nvidia employee.
Accusations by Valeo:
Valeo claims that Nvidia's senior executive, Muhammed Müniruzzaman, engaged in data theft while working for the company in Germany in 2021. The alleged theft was unveiled during a video meeting between Nvidia and Valeo executives in 2022, where Müniruzzaman inadvertently shared Valeo's proprietary software source code.
Data Transfer and Screenshots:
During the video meeting, Müniruzzaman left an application open, revealing Valeo's source code. Valeo employees took screenshots, accusing the ex-employee of transferring gigabytes of data to Nvidia. The incident came to light in September 2023 when Müniruzzaman confessed to the crime during a statement to German authorities.
Financial Implications:
Valeo asserts that Nvidia used the stolen data to enhance its parking and driving assistance software. The French company claims Nvidia saved millions of dollars by incorporating Valeo's code, creating a rival product.
Legal Actions:
Valeo has filed a lawsuit against Nvidia in California, seeking significant damages. Additionally, Valeo is requesting a court order prohibiting Nvidia and its subsidiaries from using Valeo's code.
Nvidia's Response:
As of now, Nvidia has not released an official statement regarding the allegations. The confession from a former high-ranking employee may pose significant challenges for Nvidia's defense.
