LinkedIn Faces Scrutiny Over Data Usage Policies
Earlier this year, LinkedIn raised concerns regarding its approach to utilizing the private messages of Premium subscribers for training its AI models. In response to this backlash, the Microsoft-owned platform is in the process of updating its Terms of Service (ToS) to provide explicit guidelines on how user data may be leveraged.
Enhancing User Experience Through Data Utilization
According to LinkedIn, these updates are designed to improve your overall experience on the platform, connecting you with opportunities more relevant to your skills and interests. The data harvested for AI model training will primarily consist of information from your LinkedIn profile and any content you publicly share.
Private Data Remains Protected
Importantly, LinkedIn assures users that private messages will not be accessed for this purpose. However, it’s essential to note that all data collected can be utilized by LinkedIn’s affiliates, including LinkedIn Corporation, LinkedIn Ireland, and Microsoft. By default, this means your information may be used unless you alter your preferences. You can adjust these settings through the dedicated setting here.
Targeted Advertising and Data Sharing with Microsoft
In the U. S., users will automatically share their LinkedIn data with Microsoft for targeted advertising unless they opt out. LinkedIn explains:
LinkedIn may use information that we receive from others about your engagement with their sites and services, in order to improve our tools for targeting ads. While we do not use your off-LinkedIn engagement data to predict your interests at an individual level, we do use it to improve our tools for targeting ads overall. Many U. S.states consider ads selected based on an individual’s activities outside of a company’s own websites or applications to be “targeted advertising” and provide you a right to opt out of having your data used for this purpose.
How to Manage Your Privacy Settings
If you wish to disable data sharing with Microsoft, you can manage these settings here. Additionally, if you prefer not to have LinkedIn use data from external sites for advertising, you can toggle this feature off here.
Clarifications in Terms of Service
LinkedIn’s recent updates to its ToS also address concerns regarding technology misuse, including the ramifications of deep fakes and impersonation. For a comprehensive overview of these changes, you can find more information here. Note that these modifications will officially take effect on November 3, 2025.
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