LinkedIn Faces Lawsuit Over Alleged Use of Private Messages to Train AI Models

LinkedIn is facing a proposed class action lawsuit filed in California, accusing the platform of using private messages from its Premium users to train artificial intelligence models without their consent.

 

The lawsuit claims LinkedIn enabled a privacy feature last August that ostensibly allowed users to opt out of data sharing, but it was turned on by default. Critics argue the change was neither clearly communicated in LinkedIn’s terms of service nor its privacy policy.

 

Owned by Microsoft, LinkedIn updated its privacy policy following public backlash and media scrutiny. However, the lawsuit alleges that the company buried a crucial disclosure in its FAQs, stating that users’ private messages could be shared with third-party providers, possibly outside Microsoft’s corporate structure, to train AI models.

 

The plaintiffs claim LinkedIn’s actions suggest it was aware its terms did not authorise such practices and aimed to avoid further scrutiny. The disclosure also admitted that data already used to train AI models could not be removed, fuelling further criticism.

 

“LinkedIn users’ personal information is already embedded in generative AI models and will not be deleted, regardless of whether they opt out of future disclosures,” the lawsuit alleges.

 

The lawsuit also highlights that LinkedIn shared user data with Microsoft affiliates, potentially feeding other AI projects within the tech giant.

 

In response, a LinkedIn spokesperson denied the allegations, stating that the claims are "false and have no merit."

 

The case raises broader concerns about transparency in data usage and the ethical implications of using personal data to develop AI systems, sparking renewed calls for stricter regulations in the tech industry.