Microsoft's Linkedin Sued for Disclosing Customer Information to Train AI Models

FILE PHOTO: Small toy figures are seen between displayed US flag and Linkedin logo in this illustration picture, August 30, 2018. To match Exclusive LINKEDIN-CHINA/ESPIONAGE  REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Small toy figures are seen between displayed US flag and Linkedin logo in this illustration picture, August 30, 2018. To match Exclusive LINKEDIN-CHINA/ESPIONAGE REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo
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Microsoft's Linkedin Sued for Disclosing Customer Information to Train AI Models

FILE PHOTO: Small toy figures are seen between displayed US flag and Linkedin logo in this illustration picture, August 30, 2018. To match Exclusive LINKEDIN-CHINA/ESPIONAGE  REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Small toy figures are seen between displayed US flag and Linkedin logo in this illustration picture, August 30, 2018. To match Exclusive LINKEDIN-CHINA/ESPIONAGE REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo

Microsoft's LinkedIn has been sued by Premium customers who said the business-focused social media platform disclosed their private messages to third parties without permission to train generative artificial intelligence models.
According to a proposed class action filed on Tuesday night on behalf of millions of LinkedIn Premium customers, LinkedIn quietly introduced a privacy setting last August that let users enable or disable the sharing of their personal data, Reuters said.
Customers said LinkedIn then discreetly updated its privacy policy on Sept. 18 to say data could be used to train AI models, and in a "frequently asked questions" hyperlink said opting out "does not affect training that has already taken place."
This attempt to "cover its tracks" suggests LinkedIn was fully aware it violated customers' privacy and its promise to use personal data only to support and improve its platform, in order to minimize public scrutiny and legal fallout, the complaint said.
The lawsuit was filed in the San Jose, California, federal court on behalf of LinkedIn Premium customers who sent or received InMail messages, and whose private information was disclosed to third parties for AI training before Sept. 18.
It seeks unspecified damages for breach of contract and violations of California's unfair competition law, and $1,000 per person for violations of the federal Stored Communications Act.
LinkedIn said in a statement: "These are false claims with no merit."
A lawyer for the plaintiffs had no immediate additional comment.
The lawsuit was filed several hours after US President Donald Trump announced a joint venture among Microsoft-backed OpenAI, Oracle and SoftBank, with a potential $500 billion of investment, to build AI infrastructure in the United States.
The case is De La Torre v. LinkedIn Corp, US District Court, Northern District of California, No. 25-00709.



Green Riyadh Launches Tree-Planting and Cleanup Campaign

File photo of the Saudi capital Riyadh - File/AAWSAT
File photo of the Saudi capital Riyadh - File/AAWSAT
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Green Riyadh Launches Tree-Planting and Cleanup Campaign

File photo of the Saudi capital Riyadh - File/AAWSAT
File photo of the Saudi capital Riyadh - File/AAWSAT

Green Riyadh, one of the programs overseen by the Royal Commission for Riyadh City, has launched a tree-planting and cleanup campaign at Shuaib Umm Qasr to coincide with Saudi National Day celebrations, the Saudi Press Agency said Sunday.

The campaign will be held on September 23 from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. and is open to male and female volunteers from all segments of society. Participants will receive volunteer certificates in recognition of their active contributions to environmental service.

The initiative aims to attract volunteers to participate in tree planting and cleanup activities, thereby promoting community engagement and a culture of volunteerism while supporting national efforts to protect the environment and achieve sustainability.


82-year-old Dies after Beach Fight in Greece over Sun Lounger

Tourists from a nearby hotel watch military helicopters fly overhead during Medusa 15, a joint military exercise led by Greece and Egypt, at Maleme on the Greek island of Crete, Friday, Sept. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)
Tourists from a nearby hotel watch military helicopters fly overhead during Medusa 15, a joint military exercise led by Greece and Egypt, at Maleme on the Greek island of Crete, Friday, Sept. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)
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82-year-old Dies after Beach Fight in Greece over Sun Lounger

Tourists from a nearby hotel watch military helicopters fly overhead during Medusa 15, a joint military exercise led by Greece and Egypt, at Maleme on the Greek island of Crete, Friday, Sept. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)
Tourists from a nearby hotel watch military helicopters fly overhead during Medusa 15, a joint military exercise led by Greece and Egypt, at Maleme on the Greek island of Crete, Friday, Sept. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)

An 82-year-old man died Sunday after he got into a fight over a sun lounger on a beach in Greece near Athens, local media reported.

The octogenarian had a dispute with a 76-year-old man and a 21-year-old woman over the sun lounger, with the argument degenerating into a scuffle between the two men, according to police, the ANA news agency and ERT state television channel reported.

The 82-year-old, badly hurt, was transported to hospital from the Vouliagmeni beach resort area where the argument broke out. He was later declared dead at the hospital, AFP said.

Both the 76-year-old man and the 21-year-old woman were arrested, ANA said, with police investigating what happened.


10 Lions Die in Suspected Poisoning at Tanzania Wildlife Reserve

Lions are seen in their counpound at the Artis Amsterdam Royal Zoo in Amsterdam, Netherlands in this handout photo released to media on January 28, 2021. Artis Amsterdam Royal Zoo/Handout via REUTERS
Lions are seen in their counpound at the Artis Amsterdam Royal Zoo in Amsterdam, Netherlands in this handout photo released to media on January 28, 2021. Artis Amsterdam Royal Zoo/Handout via REUTERS
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10 Lions Die in Suspected Poisoning at Tanzania Wildlife Reserve

Lions are seen in their counpound at the Artis Amsterdam Royal Zoo in Amsterdam, Netherlands in this handout photo released to media on January 28, 2021. Artis Amsterdam Royal Zoo/Handout via REUTERS
Lions are seen in their counpound at the Artis Amsterdam Royal Zoo in Amsterdam, Netherlands in this handout photo released to media on January 28, 2021. Artis Amsterdam Royal Zoo/Handout via REUTERS

Ten lions were found dead in Tanzania's Ngorongoro wildlife reserve this week and preliminary findings suggest they may have been poisoned, the area's management authority said.

The deaths raise concerns over the conservation of lions in one of Africa's most renowned wildlife ecosystems. Poisoning has been a recurring threat to large ⁠carnivores across parts ⁠of East Africa, often linked to conflicts between predators and livestock owners.

The lions were discovered on September 18 in the Ndutu area of Endulen Ward in Arusha ⁠region, Reuters quoted the Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority as saying in a statement released late on Saturday.

"Preliminary findings suggest the animals may have died after ingesting poison," the authority said, adding that it had launched an investigation to determine the cause and identify those responsible.

The Ngorongoro Conservation Area, a UNESCO ⁠World ⁠Heritage Site in northern Tanzania, is one of the country's leading tourism attractions. It is home to a wide range of wildlife, including lions, elephants, buffaloes and endangered black rhinos.

Last month, police arrested four suspects in an investigation into the deaths of 18 elephants across the border in Kenya.