Mark Newton (@NewtonMark@eigenmagic.net)
mastodon.sdf.org
Attached: 1 image Slack is now using all content, including DMs, to train LLMs. They offer a thing they're calling an "opt-out." The opt-out (a) is only available to companies who are slack customers, not end users, and (b) doesn't actually opt-out. When a company account holder tries to opt-out, Slack says their data will still be used to train LLMs, but the results won't be shared with other companies. LOL no. That's not an opt-out. The way to opt-out is to stop using Slack. https://slack.com/intl/en-gb/trust/data-management/privacy-principles

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.ml/post/15741608

They offer a thing they’re calling an “opt-out.”

The opt-out (a) is only available to companies who are slack customers, not end users, and (b) doesn’t actually opt-out.

When a company account holder tries to opt-out, Slack says their data will still be used to train LLMs, but the results won’t be shared with other companies.

LOL no. That’s not an opt-out. The way to opt-out is to stop using Slack.

https://slack.com/intl/en-gb/trust/data-management/privacy-principles

  • just another dev@lemmy.my-box.devEnglish
    0·
    9 months ago

    Customers own their own Customer Data.

    Okay, that’s good.

    Immediately after that:

    Slack […] will never identify any of our customers or individuals as the source of any of these improvements to any third party, other than to Slack’s affiliates or sub-processors.

    You’d hope the owner would get a say in that.

    • stellargmite@lemmy.worldEnglish
      0·
      9 months ago

      So you sign up to confirm that your IP is yours, while simultaneously agreeing to sell it off , but the source will be anonymous other than to who it’s sold to or anyone else Slack decides they want to know. These tech contracts and TOS should just say “we will (try) not do bad, but you agree to let us do bad, and if bad happens its your fault”.

  • Gamers_Mate@kbin.run
    0·
    9 months ago

    Instead of working on their platform to get discord users to jump ship they decide to go in the same direction. Also pretty sure training LLMs after someone opts out is illegal?

    • FaceDeer@fedia.io
      0·
      9 months ago

      Also pretty sure training LLMs after someone opts out is illegal?

      Why? There have been a couple of lawsuits launched in various jurisdictions claiming LLM training is copyright violation but IMO they’re pretty weak and none of them have reached a conclusion. The “opting” status of the writer doesn’t seem relevant if copyright doesn’t apply in the first place.

        • FaceDeer@fedia.io
          0·
          9 months ago

          Nor is it up to you. But fact remains, it’s not illegal until there are actually laws against it. The court cases that might determine whether current laws are against it are still ongoing.

        • Grimy@lemmy.worldEnglish
          0·
          9 months ago

          If copyrights apply, only you and stack own the data. You can opt out but 99% of users don’t. No users get any money. Google or Microsoft buys stack so only they can use the data. We only get subscription based AI, open source dies.

          If copyrights don’t apply, everyone owns the data. The users still don’t get any money but they get free open source AI built off their work instead of closed source AI built off their work.

          Having the website have copyright of the content in the context of AI training would be a fucking disaster.

    • NovaPrime@lemmy.mlEnglish
      0·
      9 months ago
      1. It’s not illegal. 2. “Law” isn’t a real thing in an oligarchy, except insofar as it can be used by those with capital and resources to oppress and subjugate those they consider their lessors and to further perpetuate the system for self gain
  • ArkyonVeil@lemmy.dbzer0.comEnglish
    0·
    9 months ago

    These techbros are some grade A geniuses. Goodness, training LLMs on private data from Slack!? One of the most popular corporate messaging apps? Surely! Only good things can come out from training data on corporate secrets into a braindead auto-complete model that can leak its oversized brain if you prod it just right.

    Of course, no private data has ever been leaked from an LLM, right?

  • ConfusedPossum@kbin.social
    0·
    9 months ago

    I use Slack at work everyday. I suppose this does feel off in some way but I’m not sure I’m the right amount of upset about this? I don’t really mind if they use my data if it improves my user experience, as long as the platform doesn’t reveal anything sensitive or personal in a way that can be traced back to me.

    Slack already does allow your admin to view all of your conversations, which is more alarming to me

    • SeedyOne@lemm.eeEnglish
      0·
      9 months ago

      The problem is where you said “as long as” because we already know companies AND the AI itself can’t be trusted to not expose sensitive info inadvertently. At absolute best, it’s another vector to be breached.

      • ConfusedPossum@kbin.social
        0·
        9 months ago

        It’s obvious when you say it like that. I don’t like the idea of some prompt hacker looking at memes I sent to my coworker

  • Ultraviolet@lemmy.worldEnglish
    0·
    9 months ago

    Remember when every platform renamed PMs to DMs and everyone who pointed out that they’re trying to remove the expectation of privacy was “paranoid”?

  • Veraxus@lemmy.worldEnglish
    0·
    9 months ago

    Well, that’s just great. Another reason for corporations to force everyone into the miserable, counterproductive dumpster fire that is MS Teams.

  • Veraxus@lemmy.worldEnglish
    0·
    9 months ago

    The customer is never just a customer… even if you are paying. You are always the product now. Always.