LinkedIn to Use Member Data for AI Training and Share With Microsoft, Sparking Global Privacy Concerns

 

 

LinkedIn, the world’s largest professional networking platform, is rolling out a major policy change that could reshape data privacy, AI adoption, and targeted advertising. Beginning November 3, 2025, LinkedIn will start using user data to train artificial intelligence models and share specific details with its parent company Microsoft and affiliated services like Outlook and Bing.

LinkedIn says the move will strengthen AI-powered features such as:

● AI writing assistants for professional communication

● Job-matching tools for recruiters and job seekers

● Personalized recommendations for career growth

● Targeted ads across Microsoft’s ecosystem

The new policy initially applies to users in the European Union (EU), European Economic Area (EEA), Canada, Hong Kong, and Switzerland. However, tech experts predict it could expand globally, potentially impacting hundreds of millions of professionals.

LinkedIn will use publicly visible profile information and engagement activity, including:

• Job titles, skills, and education
• Posts, comments, and reactions
• Ad engagement (likes, clicks, interactions)
• The company has clarified that private messages (Direct Messages, InMail) will not be included.

Data Sharing 
Under the updated terms, LinkedIn will also share select categories of data with Microsoft’s advertising network. This integration aims to enhance targeted ads across Microsoft platforms, driving stronger ROI for advertisers.

LinkedIn highlights that users can opt out by adjusting settings:
To disable AI training data: Settings & Privacy → Data Privacy → Generative AI Improvement
To disable targeted ads sharing: Settings & Privacy → Advertising Data → Off LinkedIn Data

While the company insists the goal is to deliver smarter AI-driven networking experiences, the shift has raised significant privacy concerns. Still, privacy advocates warn that most users remain unaware of such options, meaning their professional data may flow into AI training by default.

According to Triveni Singh, former IPS officer and cybersecurity expert, “Collecting data to train AI models makes sense, but transparency and genuine user choice must be guaranteed.”

The move underscores a growing debate: balancing AI innovation with data privacy rights. On one hand, AI promises to make job hunting, professional networking, and advertising more efficient. On the other, it heightens concerns around data surveillance, informed consent, and digital autonomy.

LinkedIn’s new AI data-sharing policy signals a future where professional networking, personal data, and artificial intelligence are deeply intertwined. For LinkedIn and Microsoft, this means smarter tools and higher ad revenues. For users, it poses a critical decision: embrace a data-driven ecosystem or opt out to protect privacy.