Recalling Meta’s announcement last April about its plan to train its AI using European users’ data, followed by WeTransfer, which altered its terms of service in light of a controversy, it’s now LinkedIn’s turn to follow suit.

As indicated in the latest update to its terms of service, LinkedIn will soon start utilizing certain member data to train its AI models.

This policy expansion now includes Europe, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom, having previously been confined to the United States and other areas. LinkedIn has structured this with a “default” consent mechanism, which, however, still offers an option to opt-out.

New AI Features on LinkedIn?

As declared by the professional networking platform, starting November 3rd, publicly available user data such as profiles, posts, comments, and job searches, is set to be used to train its AI.

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In its defense, while emphasizing that private messages will not be affected, LinkedIn assures that the use of this data complies with the GDPR, provided it does not lead to an imbalance detrimental to user rights.

As the CNIL points out, the legal grounds remain open to interpretation and depend on a balance between corporate benefits and privacy rights.

For LinkedIn, the company believes that AI could “enhance user experience” by improving how recruiters connect with job seekers, suggesting new content, and even drafting messages on the platform.

How to Refuse the Use of Your Data?

While data collection is enabled by default for all users, each member of the network can choose to deactivate it. It is important to note that LinkedIn’s terms specify that opting out does not apply retroactively, meaning that data already used in its AI models will remain integrated.

To decline the use of your data, follow these steps:

  1. Go to the “Preferences and Privacy” page, which you can access by clicking on your profile

  2. Click on the “Data Privacy” tab

  3. Select the option “Data for Improving Generative AI“, and uncheck the box that is enabled by default, except for certain student profiles

By deactivating this option, your information will no longer be used for training LinkedIn’s AI models. However, this should not prevent you from using the upcoming AI tools promised by LinkedIn, such as assistance in drafting posts or messages.