Stop LinkedIn from Using Your Data for AI Training

LinkedIn is now utilizing its user data to train AI models, causing a stir among social media users, especially those who feel they’ve been opted in without explicit consent. The professional networking platform collects various forms of data, including user activity, posts, articles, language preferences, and feedback sent to the company.

What Data is LinkedIn Collecting and How Is It Used?

According to LinkedIn, the collected data helps “improve or develop LinkedIn services.” However, some users are raising concerns about being automatically enrolled in this data usage.

Rachel Tobac, the Chair of Women in Security and Privacy, posted on X (formerly Twitter), highlighting that LinkedIn is using everyone’s content to train their AI tool without asking first. “I recommend opting out now,” Tobac wrote, urging users to demand that organizations ask for permission before opting them into programs.

Other users have echoed similar sentiments, arguing that companies should provide the option to choose, rather than automatically enrolling users into such programs.

LinkedIn Informs Users About AI Data Training

This week, LinkedIn started notifying its users about updates to its user agreement, which will take effect on November 20, 2024. LinkedIn has also introduced a new setting that allows users to opt out of having their data used for training AI models.

LinkedIn’s Chief Privacy Officer, Kalinda Raina, appeared in a video explaining how personal data is used to improve security and products in AI development. A LinkedIn spokesperson, Greg Snapper, also confirmed that this week the company began informing users about the data used for AI training.

“The reality today is that many people need help crafting their resumes, writing summaries on their profiles, and creating messages to recruiters,” Snapper explained. He emphasized that users have the power to control how their data is used and that LinkedIn has always been transparent about its terms of service.

How to Opt-Out of LinkedIn’s AI Data Usage

LinkedIn users who wish to opt out of this feature can do so by following these steps:

Via Desktop:

1. Click your profile icon in the top-right corner of the LinkedIn site.
2. Select Settings & Privacy.
3. Click on Data Privacy.
4. Select Data for Generative AI Improvement.
5. Toggle the feature off.

Via LinkedIn App:

1. Click your profile icon in the top-left corner of the LinkedIn app.
2. Go to Settings.
3. Select Data Privacy.
4. Click Data for Generative AI Improvement.
5. Toggle the feature off.

How LinkedIn Uses Your Data for AI Training

Data such as user posts, articles, and interactions are among the examples of what LinkedIn might use to train AI models. For instance, if a user shares an article featuring advice from mentors and mentions their names, LinkedIn’s generative writing suggestions may incorporate those details. Users can then edit or revise the suggested content before publishing.

The AI-generated content leverages users’ profile information to assist with drafting posts, summaries, and other texts. However, opting out will stop LinkedIn from using your future data for AI model training, though it won’t reverse the use of any data already processed.

How to Request Your Personal Data

If you’d like to see what data LinkedIn has collected, follow these steps:

1. Click your profile icon in the top-right corner of the LinkedIn site.
2. Select Settings & Privacy.
3. Click on Data Privacy.
4. Select Get a copy of your data.

You can also request to delete your data by submitting a deletion request through LinkedIn’s online form.

For users in the EU, EEA, or Switzerland, LinkedIn and its affiliates won’t use your personal data for training AI models unless further notice is provided. The company employs privacy-enhancing technologies to remove sensitive information from the datasets used for AI training.