LinkedIn uses personal data for AI training – here’s how to opt-out

LinkedIn appears to be following in the footsteps of other social media platforms, by using your personal data to train its AI.

On Wednesday, Microsoft’s network for professionals published a “trust and safety” update in which Blake Lawit, senior vice president and general counsel, revealed LinkedIn’s use of users’ posts and data for training and deploying its generative AI tools.

In his announcement, Lawit noted that LinkedIn’s privacy policy had been updated. The updated policy, which links to a revised FAQ, also confirms that posts have been automatically collected for AI training. It appears LinkedIn began gathering content for its AI models and opted in users well before Lawit’s post and the updated privacy policy made these changes public.

According to the FAQ, LinkedIn’s generative AI features may use personal information to offer suggestions, like helping you draft posts when prompted. In addition, your data will be used to train these AI models, and if you prefer not to participate, you’ll need to actively opt out.

Users in the European Union, Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein, and Switzerland are not included and won’t be added due to recent changes to data protection laws. The Digital Markets Act (DMA) forces some of the largest social networks to comply with new rules, allowing people to use platforms without their information being shared.

Last week, the platform also released an article titled: “Control whether LinkedIn uses your data to train generative AI models that are used for content creation on LinkedIn.”

The article explains how users can opt out of AI data scraping and highlights a setting called “Data for Generative AI Improvement.” Users will need to be logged in to their account if they want to opt out of it using your data to train AI models.

LinkedIn is now using everyone's content to train their AI tool — they just auto opted everyone in.
I recommend opting out now (AND that orgs put an end to auto opt-in, it's not cool)
Opt out steps: Settings and Privacy > Data Privacy > Data for Generative AI Improvement (OFF) pic.twitter.com/UsS61gHw4C

— Rachel Tobac (@RachelTobac) September 18, 2024

This setting features a single toggle button labeled: “Use my data for training content creation AI models.”

That button is in the “On” position until users move it to “Off.”

This option doesn’t completely prevent LinkedIn from using your data for AI-related purposes. It only stops your information from being used for content creation training.

To fully opt out of LinkedIn using your data for any AI activities, you’ll need to complete the Data Processing Objection Form, which can be accessed here.

In October, LinkedIn said its AI integration was a tool for both employees and employers: “For workers, AI can help us do the work we most enjoy — and are best at — with more of our time. For companies, AI can help teams manage routine tasks more easily while creating the space and support for teams to think more creatively.”

Update: A LinkedIn spokesperson told ReadWrite at 8.56 ET / 1.56 pm BST on Thursday: “We’re making changes that give people using LinkedIn even more choice and control when it comes to how we use data to train our generative AI technology.

“We’re introducing new tools with AI that benefit all members by default while also making sure that those who have specific privacy preferences have an easy way to opt out. People can choose to opt-out but they come to LinkedIn to be found for jobs and networking and generative AI is part of how we are helping professionals with that change.”

Featured image: Canva / LinkedIn

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