LinkedIn Is Using Your Data to Train AI: Here's How to Opt Out
If you've been checking your LinkedIn notifications recently, you may have noticed something concerning: the Microsoft-owned platform is now using your professional data to train artificial intelligence models. And unless you actively opt out, your posts, profile information, and activity are already being fed into these systems.
What's Happening?
LinkedIn announced in September that starting November 3, 2025, it will use data from members in the EU, EEA, Switzerland, and the UK to train AI models. For users in other regions, including the United States, this data collection has already begun.
The company frames this as a benefit to users, suggesting that AI training will help "hirers find and reach you more easily" and improve platform features. But here's the catch: the setting that allows this data sharing is turned on by default.
What Data Is Being Used?
LinkedIn trains its AI models on public profiles and posts, which means your carefully crafted professional summary, your thought leadership posts, and your public activity could all be feeding the machine learning algorithms that power features like "Rewrite with AI."
The irony? Your original human-written content could be used to train AI that then generates similar content, potentially flooding the platform with homogenized, algorithm-generated posts.
There is some good news: LinkedIn has confirmed that private messages and private posts are excluded from training. However, anything you've shared publicly is fair game.
How to Opt Out (It Takes 30 Seconds)
Fortunately, LinkedIn does provide an opt-out option, though it's buried in the settings. Here's exactly how to protect your data:
Step-by-Step Instructions:
- Log into LinkedIn on desktop or mobile
- Click on your profile picture in the top right corner
- Select "Settings & Privacy" from the dropdown menu
- Navigate to "Data Privacy" in the left sidebar
- Find "Data for Generative AI Improvement"
- Toggle off the setting that says "Data for Generative AI improvement"
Quick link: You can also go directly to the settings page at: linkedin.com/mypreferences/d/settings/data-for-ai-improvement
Important Limitations to Know
Before you celebrate, there's a significant caveat you need to understand. Turning off the setting only prevents future data collection—it does not undo any training that has already occurred on your data.
In LinkedIn's own words: "Opting out does not affect training that has already taken place." This means any public content you've shared up until the point you opt out may have already been incorporated into AI training datasets.
For users in regions where the policy takes effect on November 3, 2025, any information shared on the platform up to that date will be used for AI training, even if you opt out afterward.
Regional Differences
There are some important distinctions based on where you're located:
EU, EEA, Switzerland, and UK users: You have slightly better protections. LinkedIn states that personal information from these regions won't be made available to Microsoft affiliates for generative AI training without further notice. However, the default setting is still turned on, so you need to manually opt out.
US and other regions: The data collection is already happening, and the default opt-in means your data is likely already being used unless you've previously disabled this setting.
Why This Matters
This policy change is part of a broader trend in the tech industry where platforms are leveraging user-generated content to train increasingly sophisticated AI systems. While companies argue this improves user experience, it raises significant questions about consent, data ownership, and the value exchange between platforms and users.
What You Should Do Now
- Opt out immediately if you haven't already
- Review your public profile and consider what information you've shared
- Be thoughtful about future posts, knowing they may be used for AI training
If you're concerned about data already collected, you may consider filing a formal objection. Non-members can also file an objection if their personal data was shared on LinkedIn by a member, using LinkedIn's Data Processing Objection Form ( Data Processing Restriction and Objection | LinkedIn Help ).
The Bottom Line
LinkedIn's decision to use member data for AI training by default is part of a growing pattern across social media platforms. While the company provides an opt-out mechanism, the burden is placed on users to discover and disable a feature that many may not even know exists.
Take the 30 seconds to protect your data now. Your content is valuable—make sure it's being used in ways you're comfortable with.
If you have questions or concerns regarding your privacy or data security, the Tech Services team at Clients First is available to assess your vulnerabilities and help safeguard you against cyber threats.
Email us at: seteam@clientsfirst-us.com
