In a legal battle that could have far-reaching implications for the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in tech companies, Microsoft and OpenAI are facing accusations of AI privacy violations. The plaintiffs in the lawsuit are claiming that the two companies have been harvesting personal information without consent and using it to train their AI models.
Microsoft has dismissed the claims as “doomsday hyperbole about AI as a threat to civilization,” while referring to the allegations as “doomsday futurology” in a separate court filing involving The New York Times. The plaintiffs, represented by Morgan and Morgan Complex Litigation Group and Clarkson Law Firm, argue that the defendants have failed to filter personal information out of their training models, putting millions at risk of having their information disclosed to strangers around the world.
The lawsuit alleges violations of various privacy and competition laws, including the Electronic Communications Privacy Act and the California Invasion of Privacy Act. The plaintiffs are seeking relief that would force the defendants to allow individuals to remove their data from AI models.
Both Microsoft and OpenAI have filed motions to dismiss the claims, arguing that the plaintiffs have not provided sufficient evidence of harm or wrongdoing. OpenAI maintains that people who use its products have agreed to the terms of use and that the plaintiffs’ claims are legally baseless.
The decision on whether the privacy claim can proceed will ultimately rest with Judge Vince Chhabria. The outcome of this case could have significant implications for how tech companies handle personal data and the use of AI in their products. Stay tuned for updates on this developing story.