A South African AI association wants LinkedIn to be investigated for the social networking platform’s new data usage practices. (studioEAST/Getty Images)
- The South African Artificial Intelligence Association wants LinkedIn investigated over its data use practices.
- LinkedIn is allegedly processing user data to train its generative AI models without getting consent from users.
- A LinkedIn spokesperson said that the platform provides users with a choice over how their data is processed.
- For more financial news, go to the News24 Business front page.
The South African Artificial Intelligence Association (SAAIA) wants LinkedIn to be investigated as it claims the social networking platform’s new data use practice violates local personal information protection law.
In a submission to the Information Regulator, SAAIA claims that the networking giant is unlawfully processing users’ data to train its AI models.
SAAIA is an industry body founded last year that aims to promote the responsible use of AI in the local market.
LinkedIn is developing generative AI models that can draft messages or posts on the platform on behalf of users. Depending on the tool, LinkedIn may pull data from a user profile like former work experience or make use of inputs like the names of mentors as a part of AI-generated text.
The new policy has allowed the platform to process its users’ data to improve its models by default. In other words, users will need to opt out of having their personal information used to refine its generative AI models.
SAAIA has made a submission to the Information Regulator, arguing that the decision to process users’ information to train AI models without obtaining prior consent is unlawful in terms of the Protection of Personal Information Act (Popia).
One of the provisions of Chapter 3 of Popia, subject to a few caveats, says that personal information may only be processed if the data subject consents.
Nathan-Ross Adams, the head of regulatory affairs at SAAIA, and who was principally involved in drafting the submission, said that the complaint is focused on LinkedIn’s processing of South African users’ personal information to train its generative AI models.
He said that the matter requires an investigation from the Information Regulator given the “significant public interest” in the matter.
Nomzamo Zondi, spokesperson at the Information Regulator, told News24 that it has received the SAAIA submission and is processing the complaint.
“Once the complaint has been assessed, a decision will be taken and necessary communication will be made with the complainant and the responsible party (LinkedIn). Therefore, we are unable to make a determination whilst we are conducting a pre-investigation,” said Zondi.
A LinkedIn spokesperson told News24 that the platform provides users with a choice over their data, which is why an opt-out option is available for AI training.
“We’ve always used some form of automation in LinkedIn products, and we’ve always been clear that users have the choice about how their data is used.
“The reality of where we’re at today is a lot of people are looking for help to get that first draft of that resume, to help write the summary on their LinkedIn profile, to help craft messages to recruiters to get that next career opportunity,” the spokesperson said.
The spokesperson did not specifically address issues of prior consent for AI training.
International precedent
LinkedIn agreed to suspend the use of UK user data to train its AI models last month following pressure from the Information Commissioner’s Office, the personal information authority in the country.
Big social platforms including Meta and X have also faced regulatory pressure from European authorities when attempting to process user data to train AI models.
Dr Nick Bradshaw, the founder of SAAIA, said that the association is monitoring whether AI tools are being responsibly brought to the local market.
“The race to build new AI products and services is a global one, but its impacts can also be local.
“We have been monitoring the breakneck speed of AI innovation as vendors and investors are spending huge sums of money to bring these new offerings to market, and while doing so, we are assessing if this is being done in a responsible manner,” he said.
