A LinkedIn AI training lawsuit has been filed by US-based Premium users, accusing the platform of using private messages for AI training without consent. LinkedIn denies the allegations, calling them false and without merit. The case raises concerns about privacy and data usage in the tech industry.
Allegations of Privacy Violations
The lawsuit claims that LinkedIn secretly shared private user messages with third parties to train AI systems. According to the filing, the platform introduced a privacy setting in August 2022 that automatically opted users into data sharing. This change allegedly allowed personal data to be used for AI training without users’ explicit consent.
A month later, LinkedIn reportedly updated its privacy policy, stating that user data might be disclosed for AI-related purposes. The lawsuit also accuses LinkedIn of revising its FAQ section. While users could opt out of future data sharing for AI, the updates allegedly confirmed that any past data usage could not be reversed.
These actions, the lawsuit argues, indicate LinkedIn intentionally violated privacy standards and sought to avoid public attention.
Legal Claims and Compensation
Filed in a California federal court, the lawsuit represents a LinkedIn Premium user and others in similar circumstances. It demands $1,000 per user under the US federal Stored Communications Act. Additional claims include breach of contract and violations of California’s unfair competition law.
The filing also points to an email LinkedIn sent last year. The email assured users that data sharing for AI purposes was not enabled in the UK, the European Economic Area, or Switzerland.
LinkedIn, which serves over one billion users globally—including 25% in the US—generated $1.7 billion from premium subscriptions in 2023. The lawsuit comes as the platform’s premium membership base grows rapidly, partly due to new AI tools.
A LinkedIn spokesperson told BBC News, “These claims are false and without merit.”
Data Privacy Concerns Persist
This lawsuit has reignited debates over data privacy in the tech industry. Critics argue that platforms must be more transparent about how they handle user data, especially when AI is involved. If the claims prove true, LinkedIn could face significant financial and reputational damage.