A notable legal action is being prepared against Microsoft and Google, alleging misuse of personal data.
- Barings Law plans to represent individuals claiming their data was collected without consent.
- The accused data includes personal details, email content, and usage patterns across several services.
- This lawsuit seeks to address privacy concerns amidst rising AI developments.
- The firm anticipates substantial participation and expects to initiate court proceedings in early 2025.
Barings Law, a firm based in Manchester, is spearheading a class action lawsuit against tech behemoths, Microsoft and Google. The lawsuit alleges the tech companies have been engaged in unlawful data collection practices. Specifically, it is claimed they have been gathering extensive user information, such as voices, demographics, time spent on applications, email content, and much more. This data is allegedly being used to train Artificial Intelligence systems without individuals’ consent.
A thorough investigation lasting nearly two years by Barings has revealed the potential sharing and utilisation of vast volumes of data for the development of AI language models. This discovery has prompted a wide-reaching national campaign aimed at individuals who use any of the various platforms associated with these tech companies, including YouTube, Gmail, Google Docs, LinkedIn, Xbox, and more.
The law firm aims to represent a significant number of claimants. Given the extent of the user base—Microsoft boasts 1.6 billion active Windows devices, and Gmail accounts amount to over 1.8 billion users—the scale of this case is monumental. Barings has established its reputation through handling several high-profile data breach cases, such as those involving Capita and the Ministry of Defence.
Adnan Malik, head of data breach at Barings Law, described the case as a significant challenge in the realm of data privacy. “This case is the Everest of data collection, but we are ready to fight for the right to secure privacy for users throughout the UK,” he stated. Expressing shock and dismay at the levels of data collection, Malik added, “Both companies are collecting data such as the sports teams you follow, the programming languages you prefer, stocks you track, your local weather or traffic patterns, the route you take to work, and even snippets of your voice.”
With the rapid integration of artificial intelligence into various sectors, Malik insists that technological advancements should not compromise user privacy. Individuals’ awareness of their data being stored and used is paramount, as is their right to opt out of contributing to the AI training profiteering of large tech companies.
Malik also forecasts a global increase in resistance against such data practices, pointing out similar legal actions in the US, such as the prominent case against OpenAI and Microsoft over data privacy allegations.
In the UK, the focus firmly remains on Microsoft and Google, not other tech entities like OpenAI. Barings Law encourages those concerned about their data usage to join their collective legal effort.
The anticipated class action marks a significant moment in addressing privacy rights in the age of AI.
