LinkedIn has halted using U.K. users’ data to train its artificial intelligence (AI) models. This decision follows intervention by the U.K.’s Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), which had raised concerns about the social networking platform’s approach to using personal data without explicit consent.
This pause in AI data processing is part of a broader examination by the ICO, which has indicated it will closely monitor companies like LinkedIn and its parent company, Microsoft, to ensure adequate safeguards to protect users’ data.
The scrutiny comes as generative AI technologies are increasingly integrated into everyday digital services, raising alarms about user privacy.
“We are pleased that LinkedIn has reflected on the concerns we raised about this approach to training generative AI models with information relating to its UK users,” says Stephen Almond, Executive Director Regulatory Risk. “We welcome LinkedIn’s confirmation that it has suspended such model training pending further engagement with the ICO.”
LinkedIn recently updated its privacy policy on September 18, 2024, allowing the company to use members’ data for AI training without seeking explicit consent. This policy immediately drew criticism from privacy advocates, especially as it did not offer users an opt-out option.
The company is looking to train its AI to write suggestions and post recommendations. LinkedIn also employed privacy-enhancing techniques, such as redaction, to limit the personal information in datasets used for AI training.
Despite these assurances, privacy advocate groups were unsatisfied and urged ICO to investigate LinkedIn.
Tech companies are now scraping users’ data points to feed AI models. Companies like Meta, Reddit, and Stack Overflow have faced backlash for such practices.
The European Union’s strict data policies have made tech companies leave Europe out of many intrusive methods. Meta announced that it will withhold future AI models in the EU due to a lack of regulatory clarity.
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