LinkedIn Premium Subscription Auto-Renewal & Privacy Class Action
Case Overview
This consolidated class action brings together two related claims against LinkedIn. The first concerns alleged "dark pattern" subscription practices: plaintiffs assert that LinkedIn buried auto-renewal terms in fine print during free-trial sign-ups, made cancellation deliberately difficult, and continued charging credit cards after members believed they had cancelled, violating California's Automatic Renewal Law (ARL) and the federal Restore Online Shoppers' Confidence Act (ROSCA). The second and more recent claim, filed after LinkedIn updated its privacy policy in August 2024, alleges that the company secretly opted users into a program that feeds private direct messages, posts, and profile data into Microsoft's generative-AI training pipeline without meaningful prior notice or a genuine opt-out mechanism.
Plaintiffs seek restitution of all improperly collected subscription fees, statutory damages, and injunctive relief compelling clear upfront disclosures and a true opt-in consent mechanism for AI training. The AI training claim has attracted significant attention from privacy regulators, including the UK's Information Commissioner's Office, which ordered LinkedIn to pause the practice in the UK pending investigation. The cases are proceeding together in the Northern District of California, and the court has scheduled a class certification hearing for late 2025.
Who May Qualify
U.S.-based LinkedIn users who (1) were charged for a Premium subscription they did not knowingly authorize or could not easily cancel, or (2) had their private messages, posts, or profile data used to train AI models without explicit prior consent, particularly those who had not opted out before LinkedIn's August 2024 privacy policy change.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a refund from LinkedIn for unwanted Premium charges?
This lawsuit seeks restitution for members charged without adequate disclosure of auto-renewal terms. If you were billed for Premium after what you believed was a cancelled trial or subscription, you may qualify for a refund through the class action.
Did LinkedIn use my messages to train AI without permission?
Plaintiffs allege that LinkedIn began using private messages and profile data to train AI models in mid-2024, with no meaningful prior notice. LinkedIn has since added an opt-out setting, but the lawsuit argues that opt-out is insufficient and that informed opt-in consent was required.
What is the LinkedIn auto-renewal class action settlement amount?
No settlement has been reached as of mid-2025. The case is ongoing in the Northern District of California, and a class certification hearing is expected in late 2025.
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