A law firm in Manchester is rallying about 15,000 claimants for a major data breach lawsuit targeting Microsoft and Google. They started signing people up in November 2024, claiming the tech giants are illegally gathering and using personal data to train their AI models.
In less than a month, the firm secured over 10,000 sign-ups. This rapid response follows a two-year investigation, uncovering evidence that Microsoft and Google have collected large amounts of data without consent for their AI developments.
Adnan Malik, who leads data protection efforts at Barings Law, expressed pride in their growing number of participants. He pointed out that the surge in claimants reflects a strong public desire for companies to be held accountable for ongoing data privacy issues. Barings Law has a history of tackling data breach cases, and Malik reaffirmed their commitment to challenging how corporations misuse personal information without proper safeguards.
The firm outlines various privacy violations, alleging that these companies collected data on users’ voices, demographics, time spent on apps, and even personal details like email addresses. Malik emphasized that the large number of claimants is significant for their case, showcasing the public’s eagerness to demand accountability and protect their data.
Barings argues that the collection and use of personal data for AI training by Microsoft and Google happen without proper user authorization. Many users might realize their data is being collected but may not fully grasp how it’s used to train AI models.
The firm continues to invite anyone with a Microsoft or Google account, or those who’ve interacted with their services like YouTube, Gmail, or Xbox, to join the legal action. When they announced the recruitment push in November, Malik stated that individuals have a right to know what personal data is stored and how it’s utilized. He emphasized the importance of opting out of having their behaviors and personal information used for corporate profit.
This lawsuit isn’t happening in isolation. A wave of authors, artists, and other creators are also suing generative AI companies for utilizing their data. Major players under scrutiny include Meta, Microsoft, OpenAI, and various AI startups.