LinkedIn is facing a proposed class action lawsuit that alleges that the social media platform disclosed Premium customers’ private InMail messages to third parties without permission to train generative artificial intelligence (AI) models.
The proposed class action was filed Tuesday (Jan. 21) night, Reuters reported Wednesday (Jan. 22).
It alleges that LinkedIn was “fully aware” it violated users’ privacy and attempted to “cover its tracks” when it updated its privacy policy in September to say that data could be used to train AI models and added in an FAQ link that using a privacy setting that was introduced in August to opt out of sharing their personal data “does not affect training that has already taken place,” according to the report.
The proposed class action seeks damages for breach of contract, violation of California’s unfair competition law and violations of the federal Stored Communications Act, per the report.
Reached by PYMNTS, a LinkedIn spokesperson said in an emailed statement: “These are false claims with no merit.”
LinkedIn’s privacy policy update and use of users as unwitting AI trainers ignited a firestorm over data privacy and consumer trust, PYMNTS reported in September.
The company’s move could force businesses to reconsider their digital footprint due to the risk of compromising sensitive information, David McInerney, commercial manager for data privacy at Cassie, told PYMNTS at the time.
“A whopping 93% [of consumers] are concerned about the...
No gun was found following a report of one being flashed by a student at a high school football game on Friday night in Sartell, Minnesota. Police in the city say they're investigating the incident...