How to stop LinkedIn from using your data to train AI

Here's the thing; LinkedIn has updated it data privacy policies which is allowing the business social media platform to train its AI models using user's data. However, the good news is that you can just opt out from this act with a simple toggle. Here's what you need to know.

Like many other tech and social media companies (e.g Grok of X, formerly Twitter and Meta AI of Meta), LinkedIn is turning to AI to help improve its business-focused social networking platform. In 2023, LinkedIn rolled out it generative AI tools to make finding a job easier for it users.

Now, LinkedIn has updated its privacy policy page to automatically opt users into an AI data collection program. As partly read, the page states data collected will be used to “develop, provide, and personalize [the company's] Services, and gain insights with the help of AI, automated systems, and inferences, so that our Services can be more relevant and useful to you and others.”

In other words, LinkedIn will automatically collect your profile information, your post and as well as data and information provided by other users on your post and profile. In addition, LinkedIn will also automatically collect your contacts, calendar details, communications, work and education history, data on how you use LinkedIn's services, as well as device and location information.

In November, users in the US, Canada, and several other countries can expect to be automatically enrolled in the program unless they opt out. However, it's important to know that if you decided to not opt-out from this program, it'll not affect your experience on LinkedIn, as the social platform is not using your information to scam you, rather, it's likely using the collected data to train its AI with better ways to serve you targeted ads, services, and content that is specifically tailored to your preferences.

So, if that sort of thing isn’t an issue for you, there’s no need to opt out. But, if you are someone who prefers to maintain as much online privacy as possible, then opting out might be a better choice. Opting out of the LinkedIn's generative AI training program is easy and hassle-free, here's how.

Opting Out of LinkedIn's Generative AI Training Program

Before we get started, it's important to note that you can opt-out on web browser via https://www.linkedin.com/ and on the LinkedIn Mobile App.

On Web

• Login to your LinkedIn Account via linkedin.com.
• Click on the "Me" icon at the top of your page.
• Navigate to "Settings Privacy"
• Scroll down and click on "Data Privacy".
• Now, click on "Data for Generative AI Improvement" and toggle off "Use my data for training content creation AI models".

On Mobile

• Login to your Account on LinkedIn Mobile App
• Navigate to your "Profile Page" and click the "Gear" icon in the upper-right corner of your dashboard.
• Next, scroll down the page and click on "Data Privacy" and then on "Data for Generative AI Improvement"
• Now, toggle off "Use my data for training content creation models" button to stop LinkedIn from using your data to train AI.

I believe with these simple and straightforward guides, you should be able to opt out with of LinkedIn's Generative AI training program.

But before you leave, what do you think about LinkedIn using your data to train its AI? Do you think it’s a good idea, or a bad one? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below.