LinkedIn, a professional social networking site, allegedly used user data to train artificial intelligence (AI) models without notifying users.
According to reports this week, LinkedIn has not updated its privacy policy to reflect the fact that it was collecting user data for AI training reasons.
That same day, LinkedIn’s senior vice president and general counsel, Blake Lawit, announced on the company’s official blog that the lapse had been remedied.
Newsng gathered that the terms of service have been amended, but this usually happens before a major change, such as using user data for a new purpose.
The objective is to give users the choice of making account adjustments or leaving the platform if they do not like the changes.
Microsoft’s career-focused social networking site secretly saw people from all around the world sign in to have their data used to train its AI models.
However, the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) stated on Friday that it was “pleased” that LinkedIn had confirmed that it had suspended its use of UK users’ information.
LinkedIn stated that it appreciates the opportunity to engage with the ICO further.
“When it comes to using members’ data for generative AI training, we offer an opt-out setting,” the LinkedIn post read.
“Opting out means that LinkedIn and its affiliates won’t use your personal data or content on LinkedIn to train models going forward, but does not affect training that has already taken place.”
The modified policy, which includes a revised FAQ, affirmed that contributions are automatically collected for AI training. According to the FAQ, LinkedIn’s GenAI features may use personal information to offer suggestions while publishing.
We earlier reported that a planned class action lawsuit against LinkedIn, which claimed the social networking site was manipulating the number of views on its video adverts, has been settled for $6.625 million.
