Recommended Free Tools
iTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
Proof News reported in August 2024 that Nvidia employees built a large video-data pipeline focused on YouTube for AI development. The report described capacity equivalent to 80 years of video runtime per day—not a verified count of distinct videos downloaded or proof that every video was used to train a released model. “Stealing” is a characterization, not a court finding established by the sources described here.
What the 2024 investigation reported
In an investigation published August 9, 2024, Proof News reporters Annie Gilbertson and Rina Palta said Nvidia staff turned to building a Sora-like video model effort after OpenAI announced Sora. According to the newsroom, employees focused heavily on YouTube, drawing on previously scraped datasets as well as their own scraping. Proof News based its account on internal Slack messages and company documents, including emails; it did not disclose the exact sample size, citing source protection.
The communications reportedly described collecting datasets ranging in scale from hundreds of clips to hundreds of millions. By May 2024, the pipeline was described as able to obtain 80 years of video runtime each day. Nvidia Vice President of Research Ming-Yu Liu called it a “video data factory” producing a “human lifetime” of training content per day. These are reported descriptions of runtime and capacity; they do not establish how many unique videos were downloaded, whether all available capacity was used, or whether every collected item went into a released product.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Which sources were reported—and which were only discussed
YouTube was the main focus in Proof News’s account. The newsroom also reported internal discussion of obtaining video from Netflix and Discovery and clips from IMDb. But Proof News said the documents it reviewed did not indicate that Nvidia took videos from Netflix or Discovery. Discussion of a possible source is not evidence that its videos were obtained. The newsroom also said it could not determine whether Nvidia used sources beyond YouTube and the handful of datasets mentioned in the communications.
#1 Best Overall
- AI Performance: 767 AI TOPS
- OC mode: 2632 MHz (OC mode)/ 2602 MHz (Default mode)
- Powered by the NVIDIA Blackwell architecture and DLSS 4
- Axial-tech fan design features a smaller fan hub that facilitates longer blades and a barrier ring that increases downward air pressure
- A 2.5-slot design maximizes compatibility and cooling efficiency for superior performance in small chassis
Why the report’s scale figure is not a video count
“80 years per day” refers to the amount of video runtime the pipeline was reportedly capable of obtaining, according to Nvidia project communications described by Proof News. Runtime could consist of clips of different lengths, and the figure does not say how many distinct videos were involved. It is not an independently verified count of downloads, a measure of how much material was actually collected, or a finding that each item was used for training.
What Nvidia and YouTube said
Nvidia spokesperson Stephanie Matthew told Proof News: “We respect the rights of all content creators and are confident that our models and our research efforts are in full compliance with the letter and the spirit of copyright law.” She also said: “Fair use also protects the ability to use a work for a transformative purpose, such as model training.” Those statements express Nvidia’s position; they are not a court ruling that the specific practices reported were lawful.
Rank #2
- Powered by the NVIDIA Blackwell architecture and DLSS 4
- Powered by GeForce RTX 5070 Ti
- Integrated with 16GB GDDR7 256bit memory interface
- PCIe 5.0
- WINDFORCE cooling system
Proof News reported that YouTube’s terms prohibit scraping creators’ videos. Separately, Futurism quoted YouTube CEO Neal Mohan saying: “It does not allow for things like transcripts or video bits to be downloaded, and that is a clear violation of our terms of service.” A platform’s terms and a copyright-law determination are distinct questions: a reported terms-of-service position does not itself resolve whether a particular use infringed copyright.
Proof News also reported that employees raised questions internally about copyright, authorization and legal review. In a reported message, Liu wrote, “This is an executive decision,” and added, “We have an umbrella approval for all of the data.” That account describes what internal communications reportedly said; it does not determine whether the data collection was legally authorized.
Rank #3
- Powered by the NVIDIA Blackwell architecture and DLSS 4. System Requirements: Minimum 850W PSU with 16-pin 12V-2x6 (12VHPWR) connector required. Verify before purchasing.
- Military-grade components deliver rock-solid power and longer lifespan for ultimate durability. Compatibility: 348mm (13.7") length, 3.6 slots, 4.3 lbs. Confirm case clearance and slot spacing. GPU bracket included.
- Protective PCB coating helps protect against short circuits caused by moisture, dust, or debris
- 3.6-slot design with massive fin array optimized for airflow from three Axial-tech fans
- Phase-change GPU thermal pad helps ensure optimal thermal performance and longevity, outlasting traditional thermal paste for graphics cards under heavy loads
What the lawsuits do—and do not—establish
Youngblood v. NVIDIA
A complaint filed January 29, 2026, in Youngblood v. NVIDIA alleges that Nvidia obtained YouTube videos for its Cosmos model and defeated technological protection measures. It further alleges that the HD-VG-130M dataset contains pointers to more than 130 million clips drawn from 1,549,408 YouTube videos, and that users must retrieve the underlying files. The complaint describes those pointers and alleges use in a commercial Cosmos training pipeline. These are plaintiffs’ allegations, not independently verified counts of Nvidia downloads or judicial findings that the alleged conduct occurred or was unlawful.
Earlier creators’ suit
A separate suit brought by creators David Millette and Ruslana Petryazhna was voluntarily dismissed without prejudice in March 2025, according to Bloomberg Law. That procedural dismissal did not decide the merits of their claims.
Rank #4
- Powered by the NVIDIA Blackwell architecture and DLSS 4
- Powered by GeForce RTX 5060
- Integrated with 8GB GDDR7 128bit memory interface
- PCIe 5.0
- WINDFORCE cooling system
Later YouTubers’ suit
Bloomberg Law reported on July 23, 2026, that Nvidia sought to end a later YouTubers’ suit concerning alleged Cosmos training data. At a hearing, Nvidia’s counsel argued that YouTube’s safeguards did not qualify as access controls under the DMCA because the videos could be viewed by anyone. That is Nvidia’s reported litigation argument, not a court holding. The July report does not establish the case’s later disposition.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →How to read “caught stealing” in the headline
The phrase captures the allegation and controversy, but the available account does not establish a judicial finding that Nvidia “stole” videos. The evidence types should be kept separate: Proof News’s reporting on internal communications; Nvidia’s public statements and litigation arguments; allegations made in complaints; and rulings actually issued by courts. The reporting supports saying that Nvidia staff reportedly assembled a substantial video-data effort centered on YouTube. It does not support turning every discussed source into a confirmed download, translating runtime capacity into a unique-video count, or presenting the legal dispute as already decided.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Powered by the NVIDIA Blackwell architecture and DLSS 4 OC mode: 2640MHz/Default mode: 2610MHz (Boost Clock)
- Military-grade components deliver rock-solid power and longer lifespan for ultimate durability
- Protective PCB coating helps protect against short circuits caused by moisture, dust, or debris
- 3.125-slot design with massive fin array optimized for airflow from three Axial-tech fans
- Phase-change GPU thermal pad helps ensure optimal thermal performance and longevity, outlasting traditional thermal paste for graphics cards under heavy loads
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
