Microsoft owned LinkedIn to collect user data to train AI models: Here’s how you can opt out of the program

Microsoft-owned LinkedIn has updated its user terms and conditions. The professional networking site has announced its plans to use user data to train its artificial intelligence (AI) models. Starting November 3, the professional social networking platform will begin collecting some user data to enhance its AI features. It will also share some of this data with Microsoft and other affiliates for targeted advertising purposes. However, data sharing is not compulsory for all users, as they can opt out of the program if they want to. Here are all the details about how LinkedIn will collect user data to train its AI models and how users can choose to opt out of the program:

How LinkedIn is planning to train AI models with user data

In a support page, LinkedIn wrote: “On November 3, 2025, we’ll start to use some data from members in these regions to train content-generating AI models that enhance your experience and better connect our members to opportunities. This may include data like details from your profile, and public content you post on LinkedIn; it does not include your private messages. We rely on legitimate interest to process your data for this purpose. You can opt out anytime in your settings if you’d prefer not to have your data used in this way.”

Moreover, the company is revising its approach to handling and sharing user data with its affiliate firms. These affiliates include entities linked through ownership, such as LinkedIn Ireland, LinkedIn Corp., parent company Microsoft, and its subsidiaries.

As part of this, LinkedIn is updating its global privacy policy to broaden the categories of data it shares with Microsoft for advertising services. In effect, this means user data will be used to deliver more personalised ads across Microsoft’s various channels.

“In our updated User Agreement, we’ve made some changes to make it more readable, and to make some defined terms such as ‘Affiliate’ more prominent. We also added details about when we won’t be able to provide you the typical prior notice about changes to these terms (i.e., because laws change or a new product is launched). We’ve also added more information about when we will use secondary payment methods you may have provided to us, clarified that deep fakes and other wrongful impersonations violate our Terms, and provided more information about how you can appeal LinkedIn decisions that impact your use of our Services,” the company added.

How to stop LinkedIn from collecting your data

The updated terms of service will allow LinkedIn to collect specific user data, but the company noted that it will respect users’ preferences. Members who do not wish to have their data used for training AI models or targeted advertising can opt out.

To prevent LinkedIn from using your data to train AI models, you can use this link to switch off the toggle. Alternatively, open the menu by tapping your name, then go to Settings & Privacy, select Data Privacy, and under 'How LinkedIn uses your data, 'choose 'Data for Generative AI Improvement' and toggle it off.

Similarly, if you don’t want your data used for targeted ads, you can disable it via this link. Another way is to go to Settings & Privacy, select Advertising data, scroll to the "Off LinkedIn data" section, tap "Share data with affiliates and partners," and turn off the toggle.