A South African artificial intelligence association has accused Linkedin of violating local data privacy laws by using user data to train its AI models without explicit consent. The association has urged the country's data regulator to investigate. However, Linkedin has defended its practices, stating that users can opt-out of AI training. The data regulator has confirmed receiving the complaint but has declined to disclose its planned course of action.
Linkedin is accused of violating the Personal Information Protection Act
An artificial intelligence (AI) association from South Africa has urged the country's data regulator to investigate Linkedin for allegedly violating local laws with its new data policy. The association claims that the Microsoft-owned social media platform is illegally training its AI models using data from South African residents.
According to reports, Linkedin's generative AI models, which are still in development, are generating messages or draft posts based on user profiles. The South African Artificial Intelligence Association (SAAIA) asserts that changes to Linkedin's policy have allowed them to improve their AI models by using user data without explicit consent.
SAAIA argues that Linkedin's actions violate the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA), which prohibits processing user data without consent. Nathan-Ross Adams, head of the association's management department, wants the Information Regulator to launch an investigation due to what he calls the public's keen interest in the matter.
A spokesperson for the Information Regulator, Nomzamo Zondi, confirmed that the regulator has received SAAIA's submission but declined to comment on next steps.
“After the complaint is assessed, we will make a decision and will exchange necessary information with the complainant and the responsible party (Linkedin). Therefore, we cannot make a decision while we are conducting a preliminary investigation,” the spokesperson said.
A spokesperson for Linkedin defended the company's AI training process, stating that users have the option to opt-out. The spokesperson also emphasized that many users find the AI models helpful for drafting resumes or summarizing profiles.
However, a report from News24 notes that Linkedin has not directly addressed SAAIA's main concern: whether the social media platform has obtained the necessary consent for AI training.
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