LinkedIn is facing a class-action lawsuit alleging it shared Premium users’ private messages with third parties. The Microsoft-owned platform is said to have discreetly changed its privacy setting in August of 2024. This update enabled LinkedIn to share private messages with third parties, without consent, for training generative artificial intelligence models.
This week several Premium customers filed a lawsuit in the San Jose, California, federal court. According to the proposed class action filed on Tuesday, the plaintiffs claim the platform had another update on September 18 on its privacy policy.
This second subtle policy update stated that data could be used to train AI models and included a hyperlink to a “frequently asked questions” section, which mentioned that opting out “does not affect training that has already occurred.”
The complaint stated that this effort to “cover its tracks” indicates LinkedIn was fully aware it had violated customers’ privacy and its commitment to use personal data solely to enhance its platform, aiming to reduce public scrutiny and legal consequences.
Customers suing seek unspecified damages for breach of contract and violations of California’s unfair competition law, as well as $1,000 per individual for breaches of the federal Stored Communications Act.
The lawsuit represents millions of Premium customers who sent or received InMail messages, whose private information was shared with third parties for AI training before September 18. LinkedIn said in a statement: “These are false claims with no merit.”
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Last year, the company revealed that subscriptions to LinkedIn Premium—Premium Business and Premium Careers—grew by 25% year-over-year, making it a $1.7 billion annual business. Today, it is estimated there are over 175 million premium users.
