TLDR: Professional networking giant LinkedIn is set to begin utilizing the public profiles, posts, and resumes of its UK members to train its generative AI models starting November 3rd. The move, outlined in updated terms of service, will be an opt-out system, raising concerns among privacy advocates regarding user consent.
LinkedIn, the Microsoft-owned professional networking platform, has announced plans to incorporate the public-facing data of its UK members into the training of its generative artificial intelligence models. This initiative, slated to commence on November 3rd, will leverage a wide array of user information, including profiles, posts, resumes, and general public activity on the platform. The change was revealed through updated terms of service, which were made public on Thursday, September 18, 2025, as reported exclusively by City AM.
The company has clarified that private messages and data from users under the age of 18 will be automatically excluded from this AI training. However, the vast majority of other public data will feed into AI systems designed to generate content and enhance various features across the platform.
A significant aspect of this policy change is its implementation as an ‘opt-out’ mechanism rather than an ‘opt-in’ one. This means that UK members will not receive proactive notifications prompting them to consent. Instead, users who wish to prevent their data from being used must actively navigate to their settings and disable the ‘data for generative AI improvement’ option. Crucially, any data already incorporated into the AI models prior to a user opting out will remain part of the training data, with the opt-out only applying to future data usage.
LinkedIn has framed this development as a strategic move to “enhance your experience” and “better connect our members to opportunities.” The company anticipates that the AI models will improve functionalities ranging from more effective recruitment suggestions to AI-assisted content creation for members. Furthermore, LinkedIn asserts that AI is also being employed to bolster platform safety and compliance, including the detection of harmful content and the reduction of errors in recommendations.
Also Read:
- LinkedIn Halts Generative AI Model Training on EU and UK User Data Following Regulatory Scrutiny
- Microsoft Unveils Landmark $30 Billion Investment to Propel UK’s AI and Cloud Infrastructure
Despite LinkedIn’s assurances, the decision to rely on ‘legitimate interest’ for data processing, thereby placing the onus on members to protect their information, has drawn criticism from privacy advocates. They argue that this approach creates a ‘blind spot’ where detailed personal and professional information could be used without explicit awareness or informed consent, highlighting a broader industry trend concerning data privacy and AI training.
