LinkedIn Users Claim App Used Data to Train AI Without Consent In Lawsuit

Professionals walking around as their data

LinkedIn is facing a lawsuit on behalf of users accusing the platform of sharing data with other companies to train artificial intelligence (AI).

The lawsuit, filed on behalf of millions of LinkedIn Premium members, alleges that in August 2024, the Microsoft-owned platform introduced a privacy setting unknowingly opting users into letting third parties take their personal data to train AI models.

Allegedly, LinkedIn tried to “cover its tracks” by updating its privacy policy a month later to say user data could be used for AI training.

The lawsuit also claims the platform changed its ‘frequently asked questions’ section to say opting out wouldn’t apply to any data already used.

“This behaviour suggests that LinkedIn was fully aware that it had violated its contractual promises and privacy standards and aimed to minimise public scrutiny,” the lawsuit said.

The lawsuit was filed in California and seeks $1000 per user for alleged violations of the US federal Stored Communications Act and an unspecified amount for breach of contract.

LinkedIn has denied allegations outlined in the lawsuit, calling them “false claims with no merit”.

In an email sent to users last year, the networking site said it has not shared data for AI training in the UK, the European Economic Area and Switzerland.

A question of privacy

LinkedIn is only one tech company that has been scrutinised for allegedly utilising user data to train AI without permission.

In June 2024, Facebook and Instagram parent company Meta was criticised after informing UK and European users of privacy changes that would open up their data to being used for AI training.

The move was challenged by a number of privacy rights groups, including the Open Rights Group (ORG) and None of Your Business (NOYB).

The ORG accused Meta of “turning all of us into involuntary (and unpaid) test subjects for their experiments”. In a post on its website, NOYB said the tech firm wants “to make us its AI guinea pigs”.

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