LinkedIn Halts AI Training with UK User Data

LinkedIn suspends the use of UK user data for AI training. The ICO raises concerns, resulting in a pause in data usage. LinkedIn highlights user control over data.

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This decision comes after concerns were raised by the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO), prompting LinkedIn to suspend the practice.

Stephen Almond, the ICO's executive director, expressed satisfaction with LinkedIn's response, saying, "We are pleased that LinkedIn has reflected on the concerns we raised about its approach to training generative AI models with information relating to its UK users."

Many technology companies, including LinkedIn, are increasingly relying on user-generated content on their platforms to improve their AI capabilities. These "generative" AI tools, such as chatbots and image generators, use massive amounts of text and image data to learn and improve.

LinkedIn emphasised the importance of user control over their data by allowing UK users to opt out of having their information used for AI model training. The company believes that users should have a say over how their data is used.

The platform's global privacy policy outlines how it uses user data to improve its AI services, particularly in writing suggestions tools. However, this policy will no longer apply to users in the United Kingdom, the European Union, the European Economic Area, or Switzerland.

LinkedIn, like other tech giants such as Meta and X (formerly Twitter), intends to use user-generated content to advance its generative AI tools. However, regulatory challenges in the UK and EU, with strict privacy regulations, have caused companies to change their data usage practices.

The ICO has been actively monitoring tech developers to ensure that their users' data rights are protected. Mr. Almond emphasised the importance of protecting privacy rights in the development of AI technologies, as well as the need for public trust in data handling practices.

Like Meta, LinkedIn has worked with regulators and users to address concerns and clarify data usage policies. The platform will most likely go through a review process before resuming AI tool training with UK user data.

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• LinkedIn suspends use of UK user data for AI training

• ICO raises concerns leading to the pause in data usage

• User control over data highlighted by LinkedIn

Source: BBC