Recently, LinkedIn began using user account data for training generative artificial intelligence models without prior notice. This news was first reported by 404Media and subsequently followed up by media outlets such as TechCrunch. LinkedIn has updated its privacy policy to explicitly state that it will use platform data to enhance and train AI models.
LinkedIn mentions on its help page that they will use user personal data to improve, develop, and provide various products and services, including the development and training of AI models. This feature is primarily used for applications such as generative AI writing assistants. To protect user privacy, LinkedIn also states that they will use privacy-enhancing technologies to edit or delete personal information when processing training data.
If you wish to stop LinkedIn from using your personal data for AI training, you can find the relevant settings in the "Data Privacy" tab under your account settings. You need to locate the "Data for Generative AI Improvement" option and switch it to "Off" to opt out. However, LinkedIn specifically notes that opting out will not affect the use of previously collected data for training.
In addition to the above settings, LinkedIn also has other machine learning tools used for personalization and content moderation. If you want to completely opt out of such data usage, you will need to fill out LinkedIn's data processing objection form.
LinkedIn's recent actions came shortly after Meta acknowledged that it had been scraping non-private user data for model training since 2007. This silent opt-in strategy has raised concerns among users about data privacy.
Key Points:
1. 🔒 LinkedIn has defaulted to using user data for training AI models; users need to actively opt out.
2. ✋ Users must turn off the relevant option in their account settings, which only affects future data usage.
3. 📄 In addition to generative AI, LinkedIn has other machine learning tools; users need to fill out an additional form to completely opt out of data usage.