LinkedIn has recently made headlines for quietly opting its users into a new privacy setting that allows the platform to utilise account data for training generative AI models. According to a report by 404Media, this change came about without direct user consent. Following the introduction of this privacy setting, LinkedIn updated its privacy policy to clarify that data from the platform may be used to enhance and develop various products and services, including generative AI.
The revised policy explicitly states, “We may use your personal data to improve, develop, and provide products and Services, develop and train artificial intelligence (AI) models, develop, provide, and personalize our Services, and gain insights with the help of AI, automated systems, and inferences.” This announcement aligns with LinkedIn’s goal of using generative AI to power features such as writing assistance.
For users who prefer not to have their data utilized in this manner, LinkedIn has provided an option to opt-out. Users can head to the Data Privacy tab in their account settings and find the toggle for “Data for Generative AI Improvement.” By switching this toggle to “off,” users can prevent LinkedIn and its affiliates from using their personal information for future AI model training. However, it is important to note that opting out does not retroactively affect any training that has already occurred.
LinkedIn says- “Opting out means that LinkedIn and its affiliates won’t use your personal data or content on LinkedIn to train models going forward, but does not affect training that has already taken place.”
LinkedIn has reassured users that it employs “privacy enhancing technologies” to redact or remove personal data from its training datasets. Moreover, the company has indicated that it does not train its models using data from individuals residing in the EU, EEA, or Switzerland.
