In a recent move, LinkedIn has started using members’ data to train its AI models without explicit consent from most users. This change was quietly introduced alongside an update to the platform’s privacy policy. According to a report by 404Media, the professional networking site opted users into this AI training without directly notifying them. LinkedIn trains AI models on your data for purposes like developing personalized services.
LinkedIn’s updated privacy policy now allows the platform to use personal data to “improve, develop, and provide products and services” through AI and other automated systems. This includes using data to train generative AI models that help develop features like LinkedIn’s writing assistant.
Users can opt out of this data use by navigating to the Data Privacy section of their account settings. There, a toggle under Data for Generative AI Improvement allows users to disable the platform’s use of their data for AI model training. However, opting out only applies to future data collection and does not impact data already used for AI training.
AI Training Exclusions for EU Users
In line with stronger data protection laws, LinkedIn users in the European Union (EU), European Economic Area (EEA), and Switzerland are automatically excluded from this data usage. This means their data will not be utilized for AI training unless further notice is provided.
LinkedIn’s use of personal data for AI training also extends to its affiliates, though the platform has not specified who these affiliates are. Microsoft, LinkedIn’s parent company, has extensive ties to AI development, including its partnership with OpenAI. However, LinkedIn has clarified that it does not share collected data directly with OpenAI but uses Microsoft’s Azure AI service to power its AI features.
Discrepancies in Transparency
Despite the policy updates, LinkedIn’s core agreements such as its User Agreement and Privacy Policy do not mention “AI” or “artificial intelligence” explicitly. However, they grant LinkedIn the right to access, store, and process users’ data. This has raised concerns among users about the transparency of how their information is being used.
LinkedIn’s terms also prohibit users from using external software or tools to scrape data from the platform. Meanwhile, the company itself is using publicly available data from user profiles and posts for AI training, a practice that has drawn comparisons to similar actions by other tech giants like Meta.
Some users have criticized how LinkedIn trains AI models on your data without offering compensation. Some users, including business leaders like VectorField CEO Ido Banai, have publicly criticized the move, arguing that companies should pay users when their data is used for AI development.
How to Opt Out of LinkedIn’s AI Data Training
LinkedIn trains AI models on your data, but you can opt out of the setting where adjusting your privacy preferences. LinkedIn provides an opt-out option for those who prefer not to have their data used in AI training. Here’s how users can disable this setting:
- Log into the LinkedIn account.
- Click the profile image and select Settings & Privacy.
- Choose Data Privacy from the left-hand menu.
- Scroll down to Data for Generative AI Improvement.
- Toggle off the option to use personal data for training AI models.
AI Training and Broader Privacy Concerns
The growing use of user data for AI training has raised widespread privacy concerns across social media platforms. Meta, for instance, has been criticized for scraping publicly available data to train its AI models. Advocacy groups like the Software Freedom Law Centre in India have urged regulatory authorities to scrutinize AI data practices to protect user privacy. Similar concerns have been raised by users of platforms like Reddit and Stack Overflow, where data is often licensed for AI training without explicit user consent.
As LinkedIn moves forward with its AI initiatives, users are encouraged to review their privacy settings and stay informed about how their data is being used.
Also Read: OpenAI Threatens Bans Over Questions on Strawberry’s Reasoning Model.
