If you're using LinkedIn, you should be aware that the platform has automatically included accounts in the training of generative AI models without prior consent. According to 404Media, LinkedIn has implemented a new privacy setting and an opt-out form, accompanying an updated privacy policy that states data from the site is being utilized for AI model training. TechCrunch has reported that the policy has since been revised. LinkedIn's policy outlines that your personal data may be used for purposes such as enhancing, developing, and offering products and services, as well as creating and training AI models. The aim is to make their services more relevant and beneficial to you and other users through AI, automated systems, and derived insights. On its help page, LinkedIn explains that it employs generative AI for functions like writing assistance.

If you wish to opt-out, you can do so by navigating to the Data privacy section within your account settings, selecting “Data for Generative AI Improvement, ” and toggling the option to “off. ” As stated by LinkedIn, opting out means that your personal data or content will not be used to train models in the future, though it will not impact any training that has already occurred. In its FAQ on AI training, LinkedIn mentions that it utilizes “privacy enhancing technologies to redact or remove personal data” from its training datasets and clarifies that it does not train its models on individuals residing in the EU, EEA, or Switzerland. This setting specifically pertains to data used for training generative AI models. However, LinkedIn employs other machine learning technologies for tasks such as personalization and moderation, which do not create content. To ensure your data is excluded from these uses, you must also complete the LinkedIn Data Processing Objection Form. This automatic opt-in for most, if not all, of LinkedIn's users follows closely after Meta acknowledged that it has been gathering non-private user data for model training since 2007.