Sam Altman Seeks Privacy Protections for ChatGPT Users, but Path Forward is Unclear

Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, wants to grant privacy protections to ChatGPT users, mirroring those of doctors, lawyers, and therapists. This would prevent courts from compelling OpenAI to share private conversations. However, the road to AI privacy protections is challenging, with advocates pushing for regulations to restrict AI companies' access to sensitive data.

From November 3, LinkedIn will begin sharing user data with Microsoft for artificial intelligence (AI) training and personalized advertising, subject to opt-out options. This significant update to LinkedIn's privacy policy, effective in the EU, EEA, UK, Switzerland, Canada, and Hong Kong, expands data usage to include profile details, employment history, educational background, and public activity.

LinkedIn's parent company, Microsoft, will use this data to train content-generating AI models and deliver more personalized ads. The company assures users that private messages will remain untouched. Users can opt out of AI data usage through account settings, preventing LinkedIn from using their data to train AI models.

This move aligns with an industry-wide shift towards integrating AI into digital platforms. Google and Meta have already been using user data for AI training. However, the decision by LinkedIn comes amid growing debates about the role of user data in AI technologies and the need for privacy protections.

In a separate development, Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, is pushing for privacy protections for ChatGPT users, mirroring those of doctors, lawyers, and therapists. This would prevent courts from compelling OpenAI to share private conversations. However, the road to AI privacy protections is challenging, with advocates pushing for regulations to restrict AI companies' access to sensitive data.

As LinkedIn and other tech platforms expand their data usage, the balance between innovation and privacy will remain a central debate. Professionals should revisit their account settings to ensure their preferences align with the evolving data practices of these platforms.