A lawsuit filed in the U.S. accuses LinkedIn of violating user privacy by allegedly using private messages from Premium users to train artificial intelligence models without consent. The complaint asserts that LinkedIn enabled a new privacy setting in August 2022 that automatically opted users into this data-sharing program, which LinkedIn later attempted to conceal by modifying its privacy policy. The lawsuit seeks damages for violations of the Stored Communications Act and considers LinkedIn's actions indicative of a broader attempt to evade accountability regarding user data usage.
LinkedIn Faces Lawsuit Over Alleged Misuse of Private Messages for AI Training
LinkedIn Faces Lawsuit Over Alleged Misuse of Private Messages for AI Training
A new lawsuit claims LinkedIn improperly shared private messages of users for AI, prompting a denial from the platform.
The complaint highlights concerns that LinkedIn, owned by Microsoft, is leveraging private communications for AI training, thereby breaching user trust. According to the legal filing, the platform changed its 'frequently asked questions' section to mention that users could opt out from data sharing but asserted that previous training processes would remain unaffected. This adjustment allegedly signals an awareness of potential violations of privacy standards.
Filed on behalf of a LinkedIn Premium user, the lawsuit demands $1,000 per affected user for the alleged breaches, with added claims related to unfair competition in California. Interestingly, LinkedIn specified in a previous communication that it has not permitted user data sharing for AI purposes in certain regions, including the UK and EU. Despite these controversies, LinkedIn continues to experience growing revenue from its Premium subscriptions, reportedly generating $1.7 billion in 2023, concurrent with the expansion of AI tools on its platform.
Additional discussions on these developments reveal the ongoing tensions between social media platforms, user privacy, and the integration of AI technologies within the digital landscape.
This controversy underscores the broader implications of data privacy in a tech-driven world and raises critical questions about the responsibilities of major platforms in safeguarding user information against unauthorized exploitation.
Filed on behalf of a LinkedIn Premium user, the lawsuit demands $1,000 per affected user for the alleged breaches, with added claims related to unfair competition in California. Interestingly, LinkedIn specified in a previous communication that it has not permitted user data sharing for AI purposes in certain regions, including the UK and EU. Despite these controversies, LinkedIn continues to experience growing revenue from its Premium subscriptions, reportedly generating $1.7 billion in 2023, concurrent with the expansion of AI tools on its platform.
Additional discussions on these developments reveal the ongoing tensions between social media platforms, user privacy, and the integration of AI technologies within the digital landscape.
This controversy underscores the broader implications of data privacy in a tech-driven world and raises critical questions about the responsibilities of major platforms in safeguarding user information against unauthorized exploitation.
