New Delhi — LinkedIn, the world’s largest professional networking platform, is preparing for one of the most consequential policy changes in its two-decade history. Starting November 3, 2025, the company will begin using its members’ data to train artificial intelligence models and share parts of that information with Microsoft, its parent company, as well as affiliated subsidiaries.
The company insists the move is aimed at improving AI-powered features on LinkedIn — such as writing assistants, job-matching tools, and personalized recommendations — while also enabling Microsoft to deliver more precise advertising across its ecosystem.
For now, the new policy will apply only to users in the European Union, the European Economic Area, Canada, Hong Kong, and Switzerland. But technology experts believe that the scope is likely to expand, potentially touching millions more accounts worldwide.
What Data Will Be Collected?
LinkedIn says the data to be leveraged for AI training will come primarily from information already visible on members’ profiles and public activity on the platform. This includes:
- Profile details such as job titles, education history, and skills
- Posts, comments, and reactions visible in the feed
- Engagement with advertisements (likes, clicks, or other forms of interaction)
The company has clarified that private messages (Direct Messages or InMail) will not be included.
By pooling this information into AI systems, LinkedIn argues, the platform will be able to provide more accurate professional insights and enhance the digital experience for users navigating an increasingly competitive job market.
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Sharing Data With Microsoft
The policy shift also makes explicit a broader integration with Microsoft’s advertising network. Under the new rules, LinkedIn will share select categories of data with Microsoft to power targeted advertising across services like Outlook, Bing, and other Microsoft-owned platforms.
The shared data will include profile details, feed engagement, and ad interactions. Company executives stress that no “new categories” of data will be collected — rather, the same information already available to LinkedIn will now be applied more widely.
Yet critics say that while the categories remain unchanged, the context has shifted. Using this data in tandem with AI training raises deeper questions about how much control individuals really have over their professional identities online.
A Warning From a Cybersecurity Expert
Among those urging caution is Triveni Singh, a former Indian Police Service officer and noted cybersecurity expert.
“From a technical standpoint, collecting data to train AI models makes sense,” he said in an interview. “It allows companies to refine algorithms and provide better services. But the critical question is: to what extent can personal and professional information be used? Transparency and genuine choice must be guaranteed to users.”
Mr. Singh argued that the policy represents a balancing act between innovation and privacy. While LinkedIn has provided opt-out options, he warned that the effectiveness of such measures will depend on how clearly they are communicated — and whether ordinary users will actually take advantage of them.
“Data is the new oil,” he added. “When it is tied to one’s professional identity, its sensitivity multiplies.”
How Users Can Opt Out
LinkedIn emphasizes that members retain the ability to control how their information is used. Users who wish to exclude their data from AI training or targeted advertising can do so through privacy settings.
To disable data for AI training:
1. Go to Settings & Privacy → Data Privacy → How LinkedIn uses your data.
2. Select Data for Generative AI Improvement.
3. Toggle the setting off.
To disable data sharing for targeted ads:
1. Navigate to Settings & Privacy → Advertising Data.
2. Scroll to Off LinkedIn data.
3. Switch off Share data with affiliates and partners.
These settings are also available through direct links provided on LinkedIn’s privacy pages.
The Broader Debate
LinkedIn’s announcement comes at a time when tech giants are locked in a race to dominate AI-powered services. Data — and the sheer scale of it — is the lifeblood of these systems. By feeding professional content into AI, LinkedIn hopes to sharpen the very tools that now define its value to recruiters, job seekers, and advertisers.
But the move also underscores a growing tension. On one hand, AI promises to transform the digital workplace, automating tasks and surfacing opportunities in real time. On the other, it amplifies concerns about surveillance, transparency, and informed consent.
Digital rights advocates note that while opt-out mechanisms exist, most users either remain unaware of them or lack the patience to navigate complex settings. As a result, the vast majority of data may flow automatically into AI training systems without meaningful consent.
Conclusion
The policy change signals a future in which professional networking and personal data are inseparable from the AI revolution. For LinkedIn, the integration with Microsoft could mean sharper tools and stronger ad revenues. For users, it presents a stark choice: adapt to a data-driven environment or take the extra steps to limit exposure.
As Triveni Singh put it, the ultimate test will be whether platforms like LinkedIn respect not just the letter of user consent, but also its spirit.
With November 3 approaching, members are being urged to review their privacy settings. What seems like a small toggle in an online menu may, in time, determine how much of their professional identity becomes fuel for the next wave of artificial intelligence.
