Did you know that in September 2024, LinkedIn updated its Terms of Service to reflect some changes to generative artificial intelligence (AI) affecting the use of the service and privacy policy? Most notably, the change allows LinkedIn to use member data for generative AI training.
If this is OK way you, read no further; if this is not OK, please keep reading!
LinkedIn’s default setting for allowing it to use your data for generative AI training is ON, requiring you to change a setting to opt out.
To change your LinkedIn settings to opt-out of allowing generative AI training on your data, follow these steps:
- Log into your LinkedIn account and click on the drop-down menu under “Me.”
- Click on “Settings & Privacy.”
- On the left-side menu, click “Data Privacy.”
- In the Data Privacy settings, click on “Data for Generative AI Improvement.”
- By default, the setting is “ON.” Click the button next to “On” and it will change to “Off.”
You can also access the settings page directly here:
https://www.linkedin.com/mypreferences/d/settings/data-for-ai-improvement
Frequently Asked Questions
If the setting is “on,” is LinkedIn using my data to train generative AI?
Yes, LinkedIn collects, uses, and processes your data to train artificial intelligence models used to create content. Some of your personal data is used to assist generative AI in providing personalized results using LinkedIn features. But if the setting is on, LinkedIn may also use your content to train artificial intelligence models that LinkedIn uses to power generative AI features.
Currently, LinkedIn is not training content-generating AI models on data from members located in the European Union, European Economic Area (EEA), United Kingdom, or Switzerland, likely due to local laws and regulations.
Why should I care if LinkedIn trains on my content?
If you’ve paid a professional resume writer to create your LinkedIn content, LinkedIn is taking that information (for free) and training its AI tools, allowing LinkedIn to create content from your content.
But the bigger issue is one of privacy. The default setting is ON to use your content instead of allowing users to opt-in to having their data used. If you are concerned about privacy, you can also turn off “Social, Economic, and Workplace Research” use of your data. (The default for that setting is also ON; click to toggle to OFF.)
If I turn off this setting, does it impact my ability to use LinkedIn’s artificial intelligence capabilities?
No, if you opt-out of this setting, you may still use generative AI features on LinkedIn, but your personal data will not be used to train/fine-tune the generative AI models. As LinkedIn says, “This setting applies specifically to content creating generative AI model training and development executed by LinkedIn and its affiliates.”
Opting out means that LinkedIn and its affiliates will not use your personal data or LinkedIn content to train models going forward; however, it does not affect training that has already taken place.
If I use LinkedIn’s artificial intelligence features, does it store my conversations/requests?
Yes, the information you provide and any content that is generated as a response to your conversation or query is stored by LinkedIn until you delete it. You can use LinkedIn’s data access tool to review the data LinkedIn is storing about your activities and you can delete data or request data deletion if you choose. You can download your LinkedIn data from your Settings & Privacy page.
In addition, you can object to — or request restriction of use — of personal data using LinkedIn’s Data Processing Objection/Restriction form:
https://www.linkedin.com/help/linkedin/ask/TS-DPRO