Microsoft’s LinkedIn is facing legal action from Premium customers who allege the platform shared their private messages without consent to train generative AI models.
The proposed class-action lawsuit, filed in a San Jose federal court, accuses LinkedIn of violating customer privacy. It claims the platform introduced a privacy setting in August, allowing users to toggle the sharing of their data. However, the plaintiffs argue LinkedIn discreetly updated its privacy policy on September 18 to include a clause permitting data usage for AI training.
A hyperlink in the policy FAQ reportedly stated that opting out “does not affect training that has already taken place.” According to the complaint, this statement indicates LinkedIn knowingly violated its promise to use personal data only to improve the platform. The suit also accuses LinkedIn of attempting to “cover its tracks” to avoid scrutiny and legal repercussions.
The legal case represents LinkedIn Premium customers who sent or received InMail messages and claim their private information was used for AI training before the updated policy. The plaintiffs seek damages for breach of contract and violations of California’s unfair competition law. They also demand $1,000 per person for breaches of the federal Stored Communications Act.
LinkedIn responded with a statement dismissing the claims as baseless.
The lawsuit coincided with U.S. President Donald Trump’s announcement of a joint venture involving Microsoft-backed OpenAI, Oracle, and SoftBank, aiming to build AI infrastructure in the U.S. with a $500 billion investment.
