LinkedIn has decided to temporarily suspend the use of data from its British users to train its artificial intelligence models, after receiving a formal complaint from the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), the UK’s data protection regulator, which has expressed concern about the handling of personal information on the platform.
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Subscribe (it's FREE) ►According to the ICO, LinkedIn has “reflected on the concerns” and confirmed that it is halting this activity in the United Kingdom. The social network, owned by Microsoft, already allows users from various regions, including the British, to opt out of the use of their data to train AI systems. In statements to the BBC, a LinkedIn spokesperson emphasized that “users should have control over their data,” reaffirming the company’s commitment to providing transparency in the use of personal information.
LinkedIn’s generative artificial intelligence is designed to assist users with tasks such as writing resumes or messages directed at recruiters, but in exchange for being trained with their personal data. “After all, people want an edge in their careers, and what our generative AI services do is help them achieve it,” expressed the platform’s spokesperson.
The case of LinkedIn is not isolated. Other tech companies, such as Meta and Twitter, have had to deal with similar circumstances in Europe due to the strict EU privacy regulations, which limit how and when personal user data can be collected. Meta also suspended the use of British users’ posts in June for the development of its AI tools, after receiving a complaint from the ICO.
The British regulator has assured that it will continue to monitor LinkedIn and other major platforms to ensure they respect users’ rights.
