LinkedIn accused of using private messages to train AI
A US lawsuit filed on behalf of LinkedIn Premium users accuses the social media platform of sharing their private messages with other companies to train artificial intelligence (AI) models.
It alleges that in August last year, the world’s largest professional social networking website “quietly” introduced a privacy setting that automatically opts users into a program that allows third parties to train AI. Gives permission to use your personal data.
It also accused the Microsoft-owned company of hiding its actions by changing its privacy policy a month later, stating that user information could be disclosed for AI training purposes.
A LinkedIn spokesperson told BBC News: “These are false claims that have no merit.
A lawsuit was filed in California federal court on behalf of LinkedIn Premium users and “all others” in a similar situation.
The filing also said that LinkedIn has changed its ‘Frequently Asked Questions’ section to say that users can choose not to share data for AI purposes, but have already been asked to do so. There will be no impact on training.
“LinkedIn’s actions … indicate a pattern of attempts to cover its tracks,” the lawsuit said.
“This behavior shows that LinkedIn was fully aware that it violated its contractual promises and privacy standards and was intended to minimize public scrutiny.”
According to an email LinkedIn sent to its users last year, it has not enabled user data sharing for AI purposes in the UK, European Economic Area and Switzerland.
Additional reporting by Lily Jamali
