LinkedIn has suspended the use of UK user data to train its artificial intelligence (AI) models after concerns were raised by a regulator. The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) announced on Friday that LinkedIn had paused using UK users’ information for training its AI models, a move that was welcomed by the regulator.
The career-focused social networking site, owned by Microsoft, had quietly opted users around the world into allowing their data to be used for training AI models. However, the ICO raised concerns about this practice, prompting LinkedIn to halt the use of UK users’ data for this purpose.
“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,” said Stephen Almond, the ICO’s executive director.
Many tech companies, including LinkedIn, are turning to user-generated content on their platforms as a valuable source of data for training AI tools. Generative AI tools, such as chatbots and image generators, rely on vast amounts of text and image data to learn and improve their capabilities.
LinkedIn emphasized that users should have control over their data and has provided a way for UK users to opt out of having their data used for training AI models. The company believes in giving users the choice about how their data is utilized.
The use of user data to develop AI services has become a common practice among social platforms, as it helps improve the user experience and provide more personalized services. However, strict privacy rules in the UK and EU have placed limits on how personal data can be collected and used for AI training purposes.
Meta and X (formerly known as Twitter) are also facing regulatory hurdles in the UK and EU for their plans to use user-generated content to train AI tools. Meta recently halted its plans to use UK adults’ public posts for AI training following criticism and engagement with the ICO.
LinkedIn will likely undergo a similar process before it can resume using UK users’ data to train its AI models. The ICO emphasized the importance of respecting privacy rights and stated that it would continue to monitor developers like Microsoft and LinkedIn to ensure the protection of users’ data rights.
