Source URL: https://www.theregister.com/2025/01/22/linkedin_sued_for_allegedly_training/
Source: The Register
Title: LinkedIn accused of training AI on private messages
Feedly Summary: Microsoft’s IG-for-suits insists lawsuit’s claims are without merit
Microsoft’s LinkedIn was this week accused of providing its third-party partners with access to Premium customers’ private InMail messages for AI model training.…
AI Summary and Description: Yes
Summary: The lawsuit against LinkedIn raises serious privacy and ethical concerns regarding the use of Premium customers’ private InMail messages for training AI models. This highlights the pressing issues of data protection, user consent, and compliance with privacy laws in the context of AI and cloud computing.
Detailed Description:
The recent allegations against LinkedIn expose significant challenges in privacy, data handling, and artificial intelligence disclosure. The lawsuit asserts that LinkedIn improperly provided third-party partners with access to private InMail messages from Premium users for training AI models, potentially breaching confidentiality agreements and privacy laws. Here are the key components of the issue:
– **Allegations of Data Misuse**: The suit claims that LinkedIn disclosed private InMail messages to third parties, which constitutes a breach of its Subscription Agreement and raises concerns under the US Stored Communications Act.
– **Policy Changes**: LinkedIn recently updated its policies to allow the use of member data for the training of AI models, while exempting customers in certain jurisdictions such as the EU and Canada—highlighting differences in regulatory environments.
– **User Consent**: A default setting called “Data for Generative AI Improvement” for US users raises issues of informed consent, as it automatically allows LinkedIn to use personal data unless opted out by the user.
– **Sensitive Information**: InMail communications are often sensitive, containing personal and professional information that could have serious implications if made accessible to third-party entities.
– **Legal Implications**: The lawsuit touches on contractual obligations and privacy law violations, emphasizing the importance of transparency in data handling practices, particularly within the realm of AI and information security.
– **Response from LinkedIn**: The company has denied the allegations, asserting they are without merit, yet the lawsuit reflects broader concerns about the ethical use of AI and data management practices in the tech industry.
This situation underscores the critical need for robust compliance frameworks and privacy protections in AI data training. Security and compliance professionals must be attuned to the implications of such cases, as they set precedents for how data is handled in AI applications and the importance of maintaining user trust.