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LinkedIn, the professional networking platform owned by Microsoft, is set to revise its privacy rules from November 3, 2025, allowing Microsoft to use members’ data for training artificial intelligence (AI) models and delivering personalized advertisements. This significant update reflects growing integration of AI technologies and data-driven advertising across digital platforms.
Details of the Updated Privacy Policy
Beginning November 3, LinkedIn will share expanded user data with Microsoft and its affiliates, including profile details, work history, education, posts, and comments. However, the platform clarifies that private messages will not be used for these purposes.
The company states that selected user data will help train content-generating AI models aimed at enhancing user experience and facilitating better professional connections. LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman previously acknowledged the legitimate concerns about AI’s impact on jobs, underscoring the complexity of this shift.
Regions and User Control
The new privacy rules apply primarily to users in the European Union (EU), European Economic Area (EEA), UK, Switzerland, Canada, and Hong Kong. Users in these regions will be able to opt out of AI data training through settings even after the changes come into effect.
For other regions, LinkedIn’s data use policies remain unchanged for AI model training, but expanded data sharing for personalized advertising will be implemented. The platform emphasizes that no data will be used for ads if users have restricted this usage in their settings.
How to Opt Out
Users concerned about their data being used for AI training can disable this feature by navigating to Settings & Privacy > Data Privacy > How LinkedIn uses your data > Data for Generative AI Improvement and turning off the toggle. Similarly, ad preferences can be adjusted to limit data use for ad targeting.
Industry Context
LinkedIn joins other major tech companies like Google and Meta in leveraging user data to train AI models. Google’s Gemini platform and Meta’s Facebook and Instagram also utilize user content for AI development, reflecting a broader industry trend toward AI-powered features.
Privacy and Transparency
Despite expanded data use, LinkedIn pledges transparency by informing users about these changes and providing control options. The company reassures that sensitive content such as private messages, login credentials, and payment details remain excluded from AI training and ad personalization.
Parting Thoughts
LinkedIn’s updated privacy policy marks a new phase in how professional networking data fuels AI innovation and advertising. While promising enhanced services and smarter connections, it also challenges users to review their privacy settings and make informed choices about data sharing in an increasingly AI-driven digital world.
