By Jonathan Stempel
Microsoft’s business-centric social media platform LinkedIn is currently facing a lawsuit from its Premium users. These users claim that their private messages were disclosed without their consent to assist in training generative artificial intelligence models.
This proposed class action was initiated on Tuesday night, representing millions of LinkedIn Premium subscribers. It highlights a change made quietly last August, when LinkedIn introduced a privacy setting allowing users to choose if they wanted their personal data shared or not.
According to the plaintiffs, LinkedIn modified its privacy policy on September 18, 2024, to state that user data could be used for AI model training. Furthermore, in a “Frequently Asked Questions” link, it mentioned that opting out would “not affect training that has already taken place.”
The lawsuit argues that this effort to “cover its tracks” indicates that LinkedIn was fully aware it was infringing on users’ privacy. This, they claim, directly contradicts LinkedIn’s assurances that user data would only be used to enhance the platform, which could avoid public and legal scrutiny.
Filed in the federal court of San Jose, California, the lawsuit aims to address the grievances of LinkedIn Premium users who had their InMail messages shared without permission for AI training before the policy update on September 18.
The plaintiffs are seeking unspecified damages for the breach of contract and violations of California’s unfair competition law, alongside a request for $1,000 per person under the federal Stored Communications Act.
As of Wednesday, Microsoft has not responded to requests for comments. Similarly, the attorney representing the plaintiffs had no immediate remarks to add.
Interestingly, this legal action came just hours after former U.S. President Donald Trump announced a collaboration between Microsoft-based OpenAI, Oracle, and SoftBank. This joint venture, with a potential investment of $500 billion, aims to establish AI infrastructure in the U.S.
This case is identified as De La Torre v LinkedIn Corp, within the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, numbered 25-00709.
Reported by Jonathan Stempel in New York; Edited by Richard Chang.
