OpenAI and Microsoft are currently facing their second class-action lawsuit in a San Francisco federal court. This lawsuit, initiated by two anonymous software engineers who are users of OpenAI's ChatGPT, accuses the companies of violating privacy laws during the development of their AI systems. The core claim is that OpenAI and Microsoft trained their AI technology by illicitly using personal data stolen from hundreds of millions of internet users.

Notably, this lawsuit closely resembles one previously filed by the Clarkson Law Firm in June, with significant portions of the complaint being nearly identical. The plaintiffs, represented by Morgan & Morgan, allege that OpenAI inappropriately employed their personal data from social media platforms to train AI systems, raising concerns that their professional skills might become obsolete. They are seeking unspecified financial damages and are demanding that the companies establish protective measures to prevent the improper use of private data.

Why does this matter?

This legal action underscores the growing concerns and legal issues surrounding data privacy and its role in AI development. The rapid rise of OpenAI's ChatGPT and Microsoft's substantial investments in OpenAI make this case even more significant. Lawsuits like these raise public awareness about data privacy issues and encourage discussions about responsible AI development and data usage.