A lawsuit claims LinkedIn shared private messages for AI training, but the company denies the allegations. The case, filed on behalf of LinkedIn Premium users, accuses the platform of secretly using personal data to train artificial intelligence models.
Allegations of Concealed Practices
The lawsuit alleges LinkedIn introduced a privacy setting in August last year, enabling third-party access to user data for AI training. Users were reportedly enrolled automatically without explicit consent. A month later, LinkedIn allegedly updated its privacy policy to state that user information could be disclosed for AI purposes, further obscuring its actions.
The filing also accuses LinkedIn of changing its FAQ section to clarify users could opt out of data sharing. However, it stated opting out would not undo training already conducted with previously shared data. The lawsuit claims these changes reveal LinkedIn’s awareness of its privacy violations and attempts to avoid public backlash.
A LinkedIn spokesperson refuted the claims, calling them baseless and without merit.
Legal and Financial Implications
The lawsuit, filed in a California federal court, represents a LinkedIn Premium user and others in similar situations. It seeks $1,000 per user for alleged violations of the US federal Stored Communications Act, along with damages for breach of contract and California’s unfair competition law.
An email sent to users last year stated LinkedIn had not enabled data sharing for AI purposes in the UK, European Economic Area, or Switzerland. With over one billion global users, nearly a quarter based in the US, LinkedIn generates significant revenue from its premium subscriptions. In 2023, it earned $1.7 billion from these subscriptions, which continue to grow as LinkedIn adds more AI-driven features.