 "LinkedIn sued for revealing users' personal information to companies to train AI models")
LinkedIn, the professional networking platform owned by Microsoft, is facing a lawsuit from its Premium users who claim the platform disclosed their private messages to third parties without consent to train artificial intelligence (AI) models. The lawsuit was filed in San Jose, California, and accuses LinkedIn of secretly updating its privacy policy to allow the use of user data, including personal messages, to train AI models.
The class action, filed on behalf of millions of Premium customers, alleges that LinkedIn made changes to its privacy settings in August 2024, allowing users to opt in or out of sharing their personal data. However, users claim that LinkedIn also updated its privacy policy in September, stating that data could be used for AI model training and adding a clause indicating that opting out wouldn’t affect training already conducted. The plaintiffs argue this move was an attempt to cover up the platform’s breach of privacy commitments.
What the lawsuit claims
The lawsuit has been filed on behalf of LinkedIn Premium customers who sent or received InMail messages. The plaintiffs claim their private data was shared without their knowledge or consent. The suit seeks unspecified damages for breach of contract and violations of California’s unfair competition law.
Additionally, it calls for $1,000 per person in damages under the federal Stored Communications Act. The plaintiffs argue that LinkedIn’s actions not only violated their privacy but also went against the platform’s stated commitment to using personal data exclusively to improve user experience.
LinkedIn’s response
In response to the allegations, LinkedIn issued a statement denying the claims, describing them as “false and without merit.” The platform maintains that it follows stringent privacy practices and that it has been transparent about how user data is handled. LinkedIn’s parent company, Microsoft, has not commented on the lawsuit, but LinkedIn’s legal team is expected to defend its practices in court.
The timing of the lawsuit
The lawsuit comes shortly after US President Donald Trump announced a major joint venture involving Microsoft-backed OpenAI, Oracle, and SoftBank, aimed at building AI infrastructure in the United States with an investment of up to $500 billion.
The timing has raised questions, as the joint venture could face scrutiny in light of this lawsuit. It also highlights the ongoing tension between user privacy and the fast-paced growth of AI technologies, with companies like LinkedIn under increasing pressure to ensure they handle user data responsibly.
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