A federal lawsuit has been filed in California accusing LinkedIn of sharing private messages from its Premium users to train artificial intelligence (AI) models without their explicit consent. The legal complaint alleges that the social media platform, owned by Microsoft, secretly introduced a privacy setting in August 2022, which automatically opted users into a program allowing third parties to access their personal data for AI training purposes.

The lawsuit claims LinkedIn attempted to conceal these actions by revising its privacy policy a month later to state that user data could be disclosed for AI training. It also alleges that LinkedIn altered its Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) section to clarify that while users could opt out of future data sharing for AI purposes, the policy change would not affect any data already shared.

According to the filing, these actions indicate a deliberate attempt by LinkedIn to avoid scrutiny. “LinkedIn’s actions... indicate a pattern of attempting to cover its tracks,” the lawsuit stated, adding that the platform’s behavior suggests it was fully aware of violating contractual promises and privacy standards.

The lawsuit seeks damages of $1,000 per user for alleged violations of the U.S. federal Stored Communications Act, along with unspecified compensation for breach of contract and violations of California’s unfair competition law. The case represents a class-action lawsuit, filed on behalf of a LinkedIn Premium user and other individuals in similar situations.

LinkedIn’s Response

A LinkedIn spokesperson has denied the allegations, describing the claims as “false and without merit.” The company has yet to provide further details regarding the lawsuit.

The platform’s email communication to users last year noted that user data sharing for AI purposes had not been enabled in the UK, European Economic Area, and Switzerland. However, the lawsuit’s focus remains on the U.S., where LinkedIn has a significant portion of its global user base.

The Wider Implications

LinkedIn, the world’s largest professional social networking site, has over one billion users globally, with nearly a quarter located in the U.S. The platform generated $1.7 billion in revenue from Premium subscriptions in 2023, and the number of Premium users continues to grow as LinkedIn rolls out new AI features.

The case comes at a time of heightened scrutiny over how tech companies use personal data to develop AI models. Privacy advocates have raised concerns about the lack of transparency and informed consent, especially when sensitive information like private messages is involved.

If the allegations are proven true, this lawsuit could have far-reaching consequences for LinkedIn and other tech companies, potentially prompting stricter regulations around data usage for AI training. For users, it underscores the importance of understanding how their data is collected, used, and shared in an increasingly AI-driven digital landscape.