LinkedIn users in Germany urged to block use of personal data for AI

LinkedIn will soon use members’ personal data to train AI models. Privacy regulators and multiple technology publications have advised users on how to opt out before November 3, 2025.

LinkedIn user data will be used to train AI

From November 3, LinkedIn will use its European users' data to train the company's artificial intelligence system. According to LinkedIn, this includes profile information, such as your name and information about your work and education, location, and skills, as well as any public content you have shared, such as posts, articles, and comments. Private messages will not be used. 

The setting “Data for Generative AI Improvement” is enabled by default, meaning that all the above user data will be automatically used for AI training unless the setting is manually disabled. Users can go to Settings & Privacy, then Data Privacy, followed by Data for Generative AI Improvement to opt out.

AP warns users they will “lose control” of their data

In a press release, the Dutch Data Protection Authority (AP) expressed concern about the move and recommended that users in the Netherlands who do not want their personal data used for LinkedIn AI training opt out by November 3 by changing their settings. Of course, the same policies apply to users in Germany.

Monique Verdier, the vice-chair of the AP said, “We see significant risks in the announced plans. LinkedIn wants to use data dating back to 2003, while people shared that information at the time without foreseeing that it would be used for AI training.” 

Verdier added, “Once that data is in an AI model, you lose control: it’s impossible to extract, and the consequences are difficult to predict. Caution is especially important with sensitive personal data - such as data on health, ethnicity, religion or political affiliation.” 

It is, however, not yet 100 percent decided that LinkedIn will be allowed to go ahead with the plan. Headquartered in Dublin, it falls under the control of the Irish privacy regulator, which is working with the AP and other EU authorities to examine the policy, which has already come under scrutiny. 

This article originally appeared on IamExpat in the Netherlands.