LinkedIn, the professional networking platform owned by Microsoft, is set to implement notable changes regarding user data usage beginning November 3, 2025. The platform has announced an update to its privacy policy that facilitates expanded data sharing with Microsoft, allowing additional user information to be utilized for artificial intelligence (AI) training and personalized advertising. According to the updated terms, LinkedIn will incorporate data such as user profiles, employment history, educational background, and public interactions on the platform—including posts and comments—into the training of AI models designed to generate content. Nevertheless, LinkedIn has assured its users that private messages will not be affected by this change.
In its official announcement, LinkedIn stated that certain user data would aid in training content-generating AI models to enhance platform features and improve career connections. The aim of this initiative is to enrich user experience and create new professional opportunities. This policy revision will not apply universally; it will be restricted to members in the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA), the UK, Switzerland, Canada, and Hong Kong. Users outside these areas will experience no changes to LinkedIn’s data usage policies. Crucially, LinkedIn has made it clear that users impacted by the new regulations can opt out. After the policy takes effect, individuals can choose to disable their data’s use for AI purposes through their account settings.
By going to Settings & Privacy > Data Privacy > How LinkedIn Uses Your Data, users can find a toggle labeled ‘Data for Generative AI Improvement,’ which they can switch off to prevent LinkedIn from utilizing their data for AI training. This update arrives amidst increasing discussions about the role of user data in developing AI technologies. Notably, LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman has previously recognized the legitimacy of concerns regarding AI’s potential to replace human jobs. In addition to AI-related changes, LinkedIn’s updated policy will also widen the scope of data shared with its ‘affiliates,’ including Microsoft and its subsidiaries. Starting November 3, LinkedIn will grant Microsoft broader access to user data to enhance the delivery of personalized advertisements.
Despite this, the company has stressed that advertising data will continue to be governed by individual privacy settings and controls. LinkedIn is not the first tech giant to implement such changes; Google utilizes its Gemini platform to train AI with user-uploaded files, while Meta applies similar practices with data from Facebook and Instagram. This decision by LinkedIn signifies a broader industry trend as AI becomes more embedded in digital services and platforms. For professionals who prioritize both networking and data privacy, this update serves as a prompt to review account settings and align personal preferences with the platform’s evolving data practices.
As LinkedIn approaches this transition, the ongoing dialogue about balancing innovation with privacy will remain a crucial aspect of how user data is leveraged for AI-driven functionalities in the future.