LinkedIn scraped user data for training AI before updating its terms of service and without obtaining user opt-in consent
LinkedIn scraped user data for training AI before updating its terms of service and without obtaining user opt-in consent
LinkedIn appears to have begun scraping user data to train generative AI models before updating its privacy policy.
LinkedIn users in the U.S. — but not the EU, EEA, or Switzerland, likely due to those regions’ data privacy rules — have an opt-out toggle in their settings screen disclosing that LinkedIn scrapes personal data to train “content creation AI models.” The toggle isn’t new. But, as first reported by 404 Media, LinkedIn initially didn’t refresh its privacy policy to reflect the data use.
The terms of service have now been updated, but ordinarily that occurs well before a big change like using user data for a new purpose like this. The idea is it gives users an option to make account changes or leave the platform if they don’t like the changes. Not this time, it seems.
To opt out of LinkedIn’s data scraping, head to the “Data Privacy” section of the LinkedIn settings menu on desktop, click “Data for Generative AI improvement,” then toggle off the “Use my data for training content creation AI models” option. You can also attempt to opt out more comprehensively via this form, but LinkedIn notes that any opt-out won’t affect training that’s already taken place.
The nonprofit Open Rights Group (ORG) has called on the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), the U.K.’s independent regulator for data protection rights, to investigate LinkedIn and other social networks that train on user data by default.
“LinkedIn is the latest social media company found to be processing our data without asking for consent,” Mariano delli Santi, ORG’s legal and policy officer, said in a statement. “The opt-out model proves once again to be wholly inadequate to protect our rights: the public cannot be expected to monitor and chase every single online company that decides to use our data to train AI. Opt-in consent isn’t only legally mandated, but a common-sense requirement.”
This is one effect of a general lack of real consequences for corporations and those that run them.
The company has already determined their likely fine after being caught doing something egregious. The profit from being early to market is significant, and so long as it is considerably higher than the likely fine, they go for it. The expected real earnings are the difference between the profit and the fine. It's all made worse since so often the fine is absolutely nothing compared to the profit, since the numbers these companies are dealing with are so damn big.
This is why you won't see real change until we stop slapping corporations with fines and start slapping executives with jail time. That is literally the only way to break the cycle.
This is why you won't see real change until we stop slapping corporations with fines and start slapping executives with jail time. That is literally the only way to break the cycle.
Can't be said enough.
I am amazed people post their resume on there...
I’ve gotten my last 2 jobs through LinkedIn. I know it doesn’t work well for some fields, but for tech it is great.
You almost don't have a choice when looking for some jobs. Some whole industries won't even consider you if you don't have a LinkedIn.
I'm sure there's something in the Microsoft tos that allows them to do this on any product. Kind of like how signing up for Disney+ prevents someone from suing Disney theme park over negligent homicide.
ToS and EULAs are generally not at all enforceable in most of the world
Oh, you are correct. But this doesn't stop them from attempting to do so at every turn.
Isn't this the company that stole all your email contacts and emailed them all to signup in LinkedIn? I'm pretty sure that's how they got big..
But of course they did.
They didn’t scrape it though. We entered it into their systems voluntarily.