Summarized by AI Model:facebook/bart-large-cnn
LinkedIn's new data use policy is allegedly against local personal information protection law. South African Artificial Intelligence Association (SAAIA) is calling for an investigation into the social networking site. SAAIA alleges in a filing to the Information Regulator that the massive networking company is illegally using user data to develop its artificial intelligence models.LinkedIn’s new data use policy is allegedly against local personal information protection law, according to the South African Artificial Intelligence Association (SAAIA), which is calling for an investigation into the social networking site. SAAIA alleges in a filing to the Information Regulator that the massive networking company is illegally using user data to develop its artificial intelligence models. An industry organisation called SAAIA was established last year with the goal of encouraging the local market’s appropriate application of AI.
Generative AI models are being developed by LinkedIn to compose posts or messages on the network on behalf of users. Depending on the tool, LinkedIn may use inputs like mentor names as part of AI-generated content or extract information from a user profile, such as prior work experience. By default, the platform can now process user data to enhance its models thanks to the new policy. Stated differently, customers will have to choose not to have their personal data utilised to improve its generative AI models.
In a submission to the Information Regulator, SAAIA argues that, in accordance with the Protection of Personal Information Act (Popia), it is illegal to process user data for AI model training without first getting authorisation. Subject to certain restrictions, one of the clauses in Chapter 3 of Popia states that processing personal data is only permitted with the data subject’s consent.
The main author of the filing, Nathan-Ross Adams, SAAIA’s head of regulatory affairs, stated that the complaint focusses on LinkedIn’s usage of South African users’ personal data to train its generative AI models. He said that because of the “significant public interest” in the issue, the Information Regulator should look into it.
The Information Regulator’s spokeswoman, Nomzamo Zondi, informed News24 that the SAAIA submission has been received and that the complaint is currently being processed. “A decision will be made after the complaint has been evaluated, and the complainant and the responsible party (LinkedIn) will be notified as needed. Therefore, while we are doing a pre-investigation, we cannot make a decision,” Zondi stated.
An opt-out option for AI training is accessible since the platform gives consumers control over their data, a LinkedIn representative told News24. LinkedIn products have always included automation of some kind, and we have always made it apparent that users have control over how their data is utilised. “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,” a spokeswoman said, concerns about previous consent for AI training were not expressly addressed by the representative.
Last month, in response to pressure from the UK’s personal information body, the Information Commissioner’s Office, LinkedIn decided to stop using user data from the UK to train its AI models. European authorities have also put regulatory pressure on major social media platforms like Meta and X when they tried to use user data to build AI models.
According to SAAIA founder Dr. Nick Bradshaw, the organisation is keeping an eye on whether AI products are being introduced to the local market in a responsible manner. “While there is a global competition to develop new AI services and products, local effects are also possible. “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 stated.
