Observed Signal · Jan 23, 2025 · Lawsuit · Source: Trending Topics · Impact: 4/5 · Sentiment: Negative
LinkedIn Accused of Sharing Private Messages for AI Training
A class action lawsuit filed in a California federal court accuses LinkedIn, a Microsoft subsidiary, of sharing Premium users' private messages with third-party companies to train AI models without explicit consent. According to BBC and Reuters, LinkedIn quietly introduced an opt-out privacy setting in August 2024 and adjusted its privacy policy in September 2024 to mention AI training data use. Plaintiffs argue that a later FAQ clarified that opting out retroactively did not affect data already used, which they see as an attempt to cover tracks. The lawsuit seeks $1,000 per affected user for alleged violations of the US Stored Communications Act plus unspecified damages for breach of contract. LinkedIn denies the allegations as baseless. The data sharing was not activated for users in the UK, EEA, or Switzerland. LinkedIn generated $1.7 billion from Premium subscriptions in 2024.
Accusations against a major social platform for using private user messages to train AI models without consent could reshape data privacy norms and AI training practices, affecting the broader AdTech ecosystem.
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Key Takeaways & Evidence Grounding
- LinkedIn is accused in a class action lawsuit of sharing Premium users' private messages with third parties for AI training without explicit consent.
- LinkedIn introduced an opt-out privacy setting in August 2024 and updated its privacy policy in September 2024.
- The lawsuit was filed in California federal court seeking $1,000 per user under the US Stored Communications Act and unspecified damages.
- Data sharing for AI training was not activated in the UK, European Economic Area, or Switzerland.
- LinkedIn generated $1.7 billion in Premium subscription revenue in 2024.
Connected Companies & Entities
5 Entities mapped“Eine Sammelklage gegen die Microsoft-Tochter Linkedin sorgt derzeit für Aufsehen in USA....”
“Eine Sammelklage gegen die Microsoft-Tochter Linkedin sorgt derzeit für Aufsehen in USA....”
“Wie die BBC berichtet, soll Linkedin im August 2024 „still und leise“ eine neue Datenschutzeinstellung eingeführt haben....”
“Ein Monat später erfolgte laut Reuters eine diskrete Anpassung der Datenschutzrichtlinien....”
“Ein Monat später erfolgte laut Reuters eine diskrete Anpassung der Datenschutzrichtlinien....”
Ontology Mapping & Concepts
Related Market Signals & Shifts
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Microsoft Xbox creates new division for films, series, parks
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Outlook to Block MSIX Files as Email Attachments
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