Advanced Micro Devices

Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) is a technology company headquartered in the United States of America. The organisation operates within the semiconductor industry, focusing on the design and development of graphics processing units (GPUs) and related technologies. Its products serve markets including consumer electronics and computing hardware. AMD develops GPU architectures such as Navi 10 and Navi 21, alongside specialised designs like the Arden architecture associated with Microsoft's next-generation Xbox console. These components are integral to visual processing and gaming systems.

The company experienced a significant cybersecurity incident on December 1, 2019. A hacker using the alias "Palesa" successfully stole source code files pertaining to several AMD GPU architectures, including Navi 10, Navi 21, and Arden. The perpetrator leaked portions of this stolen intellectual property on the GitHub platform. Following this leak, AMD issued a Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) takedown request, resulting in the removal of the leaked data from GitHub. The hacker also attempted to sell the remaining stolen files, claiming a valuation of $100 million while reportedly receiving lower offers. AMD publicly confirmed the breach occurred and stated it had initiated an investigation involving external cybersecurity experts and law enforcement agencies. The company downplayed the incident's impact, asserting that the stolen intellectual property was not core to its product competitiveness or security.