LinkedIn expands AI training to include user data starting November 3

LinkedIn announced it will begin using member data and content to train generative artificial intelligence models starting November 3, 2025, marking a significant expansion of the professional networking platform's AI capabilities. The policy change, which includes new opt-out controls for users, affects members globally with varying implementation based on regional privacy regulations.

According to LinkedIn's updated privacy documentation, the company will collect multiple categories of user information for AI training purposes. Profile data represents the largest category, encompassing names, photos, current positions, work experience, education, location, skills, certifications, licenses, volunteering experiences, publications, patents, endorsements, and recommendations. The platform will also utilize generative AI usage data, including prompts, search text, requests, and questions that members input into AI features.

Jobs-related data forms another significant component of the training dataset. LinkedIn plans to process responses to screening questions and resumes that members add to their accounts for ongoing and future use, though this excludes information tied to specific customers or job applications. Member content, including posts, articles, poll responses, contributions, and comments across all formats, will also contribute to model training.

The company specifically excludes certain categories of sensitive information from AI training datasets. Private messages, including InMail and inbox messages, remain protected from training purposes. Log-in credentials such as passwords, authentication credentials, tokens, encryption keys, and signing keys are similarly excluded. Payment methods, credit card data, and member-provided salary data or job application data attributable to specific members will not be used for training.

LinkedIn's approach varies significantly across different geographic regions due to local privacy regulations. Members in the European Economic Area and Switzerland will see the platform rely on legitimate interest as the legal basis for processing data. These users can opt out through their settings if they prefer not to have their data used for training purposes.

Users in the United Kingdom receive similar treatment, with LinkedIn processing data based on legitimate interest while providing opt-out capabilities. The setting also controls whether LinkedIn can share member data and content with its affiliate Microsoft for their model training activities.

Canada and Hong Kong members encounter additional changes beyond AI training policies. Starting November 3, 2025, LinkedIn will share additional data about members in these regions with affiliate Microsoft to enable more personalized advertisements across the Microsoft family of companies. This data may include LinkedIn profile information, feed activity data, and advertisement engagement data.

The United States and other regions currently face no changes to existing generative AI training policies. LinkedIn's documentation states that existing settings continue providing users control over how the platform uses their data for AI model training.

Age-based protections represent a crucial component of LinkedIn's AI training policy. The platform explicitly states it will not use data from members it believes could be under 18 years old for training content-generating AI models. This protection extends to users currently in secondary school or local equivalents, regardless of their apparent age or setting configurations.

The technical implementation of LinkedIn's AI training encompasses several specific use cases. Writing Suggestions features may process member-provided content to generate suggested text, which users can review, edit, and decide whether to publish. Profile Writing Suggestions utilize relevant profile data to generate suggested content for member profiles.

Suggested Posts functionality may summarize member post content, including personal data included in original posts. Resume data sharing with hiring managers represents another implementation, where saved resume information may be processed to help hirers identify candidates and assess qualifications match.

LinkedIn processes various forms of feedback and improvement data for AI enhancement purposes. This includes support requests from members, thumbs up and down reactions to AI-generated suggestions, reports of issues with generative AI content, and feedback submitted through dedicated feedback features. Members who wish to object to this processing can submit requests through LinkedIn's Data Processing Objection form.

Safety, security, and compliance represent significant aspects of LinkedIn's AI implementation. The platform leverages automated techniques, including generative AI-powered tools, as part of efforts to maintain service safety, security, and compliance with user terms, policies, and applicable law. This processing may include personal data sourced from LinkedIn's services.

The artificial intelligence models powering LinkedIn's generative features may be trained by LinkedIn directly or through external providers. Microsoft's Azure OpenAI services represent one example of external model providers that LinkedIn may utilize. When LinkedIn trains generative AI models internally, the company seeks to minimize personal data usage while maintaining model effectiveness.

Storage and access policies for AI-generated content follow LinkedIn's standard data retention practices. When members engage with generative AI-powered features, the information provided and any generated content will be stored until users delete it. Members can access their generative AI conversations through LinkedIn's data access tool, which allows review and deletion of stored interactions.

Regional compliance requirements create additional complexity for LinkedIn's global implementation. Members in designated countries and the United Kingdom will see updates to LinkedIn's European Regional Privacy Notice on November 3, 2025, providing information about generative AI training purposes and available choices. These users will not have their personal information shared with LinkedIn affiliates like Microsoft for training without additional notice.

The policy changes align with broader industry trends toward AI integration in professional platforms. Data processing objection mechanisms provide users with granular control over their information usage. Members can submit objections through LinkedIn's Data Processing Objection form for training non-content generating AI models, including those used for personalization, security, trust, or anti-abuse purposes.

Copyright considerations also influence LinkedIn's approach to AI training. The platform provides options for users to object to content usage through Notice of Copyright Infringement forms for copyrighted materials and the Data Processing Objection form for content containing personal data. These mechanisms ensure compliance with intellectual property protections while enabling AI development.

LinkedIn's generative AI features serve multiple purposes within the professional networking ecosystem. Job matching capabilities utilize member data including job titles, years of experience, and saved resume information to connect users with relevant opportunities. These features enhance the platform's core value proposition of professional networking and career development.

The company's implementation timeline provides members with advance notice and control options. Starting November 3, 2025, the new policies take effect unless users actively opt out through their settings. This opt-in by default approach, combined with clear opt-out mechanisms, balances AI development needs with user privacy concerns.

Training data quality measures ensure LinkedIn's AI models receive diverse, representative information. The platform's approach to synthetic datasets and publicly available information supplementation helps create robust training environments while respecting member privacy preferences. This methodology aligns with industry best practices for responsible AI development.

Member education represents a crucial component of LinkedIn's rollout strategy. The platform provides detailed frequently asked questions, updated privacy policies, and clear explanation of data usage categories. These resources help members make informed decisions about their participation in AI training programs.

The announcement comes as social media platforms face increasing scrutiny over AI training practices. Legal challenges against various technology companies highlight the importance of transparent policies and user consent mechanisms. LinkedIn's approach of providing advance notice, clear opt-out procedures, and regional compliance measures addresses many of these concerns.

LinkedIn's AI training expansion reflects the platform's broader strategy of integrating artificial intelligence throughout its professional networking ecosystem. From content creation assistance to job matching improvements, these AI capabilities aim to enhance user experiences while maintaining privacy protections. The November 3, 2025 implementation date provides members sufficient time to review settings and make informed decisions about their data usage preferences.

Timeline

• November 3, 2025: LinkedIn begins using member data for AI training globally with regional variations
• November 3, 2025: New advertising data sharing policies take effect for Canada and Hong Kong
• September 2, 2025: Google's RTB Privacy Settlement granted users unprecedented control over data sharing
• September 2, 2025: FTC sued robot toy maker Apitor over children's privacy violations
• June 4, 2025: Reddit filed lawsuit against Anthropic for unauthorized Claude AI training
• May 1, 2025: LinkedIn debuts BrandLink video advertising tool
• July 30, 2025: LinkedIn enhanced revenue attribution with company-level measurement

Summary

Who: LinkedIn and its global membership base, with varying impacts across different geographic regions including the EEA, Switzerland, UK, Canada, Hong Kong, and the United States.

What: LinkedIn will begin using member data and content to train generative artificial intelligence models, with new opt-out controls and regional privacy variations taking effect.

When: The policy changes become effective November 3, 2025, with advance notice provided to allow members to adjust their privacy settings.

Where: The changes affect LinkedIn users globally, with different implementations based on regional privacy regulations including GDPR compliance in European regions.

Why: LinkedIn aims to enhance its AI-powered features including Writing Suggestions, Profile Writing Suggestions, and job matching capabilities while maintaining user privacy protections and regulatory compliance.