LinkedIn Under Fire for Scraping User Content to Train AI Models

LinkedIn has come under fire for using user content to train its generative AI models. 404Media says that LinkedIn launched the new privacy setting and opt-out toggle before bringing out an updated privacy policy highlighting that data from the site is being used to train AI models. It has since updated its policy.

The updated privacy policy states that posts, articles, and other content posted on the network could be utilized to enhance the functionality of its AI models. Although users have been provided with an opt-out toggle on the platform, it seems that they were involuntarily included in this process without their approval in the first place.

The platform is in the process of training its AI models to generate writing suggestions and post recommendations. However, LinkedIn also states that “another provider,” such as its corporate parent Microsoft, may have trained the generative AI models on its platform.

“As with most features on LinkedIn, when you engage with our platform we collect and use (or process) data about your use of the platform, including personal data,” LinkedIn says in a Q&A. “This could include your use of the generative AI (AI models used to create content) or other AI features, your posts and articles, how frequently you use LinkedIn, your language preference, and any feedback you may have provided to our teams. We use this data, consistent with our privacy policy, to improve or develop the LinkedIn services.”

Now, how do you stop LinkedIn from accessing your content?

Users have the option to disable LinkedIn’s use of their data for AI training by going into their settings and selecting the “Data for Generative AI Improvement” button.

However, this opt-out does not stop LinkedIn from using data that has already been collected, and while disabling the option prevents LinkedIn from using your content to train the AI, it does not stop the platform from processing your data if you use AI features like content drafting tools. In short, the controls won’t protect your data completely.

LinkedIn users in the EU, EEA, and Switzerland don’t have to worry about this development thanks to the stricter privacy laws in those regions.