Microsoft’s LinkedIn has been sued by Premium customers who said the business-focused social media platform disclosed their private messages to third parties without permission to train generative artificial intelligence models.
According to a proposed class action filed on behalf of millions of LinkedIn Premium customers, LinkedIn quietly introduced a privacy setting last August that let users enable or disable the sharing of their personal data.
Customers said LinkedIn then discreetly updated its privacy policy on September 18, 2024 to say data could be used to train AI models, and in a “Frequently Asked Questions” hyperlink said opting out “does not affect training that has already taken place.”
This attempt to “cover its tracks” suggests LinkedIn was “fully aware” it violated customers’ privacy, and its promise to use personal data only to support and improve its platform, to minimise public scrutiny and legal fallout, the complaint said.
The lawsuit was filed in the San Jose, California, federal court on behalf of LinkedIn Premium customers who sent or received InMail messages, and whose private information was disclosed to third parties for AI training before September 18.
It seeks unspecified damages for breach of contract and violations of California’s unfair competition law, and US$1000 (A$1600) per person for violations of the federal Stored Communications Act
Microsoft did not immediately respond to requests for comment. A lawyer for the plaintiffs had no immediate additional comment.
The lawsuit was filed several hours after US President Donald Trump announced a joint venture among Microsoft-based OpenAI, Oracle and SoftBank, with a potential US$500 billion of investment, to build AI infrastructure in the United States.