A lawsuit has been filed against LinkedIn, accusing the professional networking giant of secretly sharing private user data to train AI models. This lawsuit was filed on behalf of LinkedIn Premium users in a California federal court. It claimed that the platform shared private messages and other personal data with third parties without obtaining proper consent.
The allegations center on a privacy setting introduced in August 2022, which allegedly opted users into a program that allowed their data to be shared for AI training purposes. According to the lawsuit, LinkedIn later updated its privacy policy and FAQs to include AI related data sharing. But this action was described as an attempt to “cover its tracks.”
A LinkedIn spokesperson has called these claims “false” and stated that they hold “no merit.”
How Did This Unfold?
In August 2022, LinkedIn reportedly made a quiet change to its privacy settings. This setting automatically enrolled users in a program that permitted their personal data to be used for AI training. This program applied to LinkedIn Premium users, many of whom pay a monthly subscription fee for advanced networking features.
A month later, LinkedIn revised its privacy policy and updated its FAQ section. The updated policy stated that users could opt out of future data sharing for AI purposes. But it came with a clause: opting out wouldn’t undo training that had already occurred.
The lawsuit argues that LinkedIn’s actions first of all violate privacy standards. It also claims that LinkedIn breached user agreements and made intentional attempts to minimize public scrutiny. The lawsuit then sums up by arguing that LinkedIn acted fully aware of potential contractual violations.
What Does the Lawsuit Demand?
The lawsuit, filed by a LinkedIn Premium user on behalf of others in a similar situation, seeks:
- $1,000 per user for violations of the US federal Stored Communications Act.
- Additional damages for breach of contract and violations of California’s unfair competition law.
LinkedIn’s Response
LinkedIn, owned by Microsoft, has categorically denied the allegations. A spokesperson said, “These are false claims with no merit.”
The company also noted that data sharing for AI purposes has not been enabled in regions such as the UK, the European Economic Area, and Switzerland. However, with over 1 billion users globally, including nearly 25% in the United States, the potential impact of these allegations is enormous.
Why Does This Matter?
This case mirrors an increasing concern about the use of personal data to train AI systems. While companies often tout the benefits of AI tools, users are becoming increasingly cautious of their privacy.
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Imagine sending a private message on LinkedIn, believing it’s confidential, only to later find out it may have been analyzed to improve an AI chatbot or search algorithm. For many users, this feels like a breach of trust.
LinkedIn Premium
LinkedIn’s Premium subscription service is a major revenue driver for the company, bringing in $1.7 billion in 2023 alone. The company has also reported rapid growth in premium subscribers, fueled partly by the addition of AI features.
These AI tools, such as personalized job recommendations and automated insights, are designed to enhance the user experience. However, the lawsuit raises questions about the cost of these innovations, especially if they come at the expense of user privacy.
A New Dawn for LinkedIn?
This lawsuit could be the beginning of increased scrutiny over social media platforms and tech companies’ use of personal data. It also raises important questions:
- Should users have more control over how their data is used for AI training?
- How can companies ensure that privacy policies are clear and accessible to all users?
The outcome of this case could influence future regulations around data sharing and AI. Also, this could set the stage for how businesses navigate these complex issues.
