LinkedIn has announced a significant update to its Terms of Service and Privacy Policy, effective November 3, 2025. These changes directly affect how LinkedIn collects, processes, and shares member data — especially for the purpose of training content-generating AI models.
If you’re based in the EU, EEA, Switzerland, UK, Canada, or Hong Kong, here’s what’s changing and why it matters.
The Big Change: Your Data May Train LinkedIn’s AI Models
Starting November 3, 2025, LinkedIn will begin using some member data from specific regions to train its generative AI models.
These models are designed to:
- Help hirers connect with talent more effectively
- Assist members in creating content like profile updates, messages, and posts
- Improve the personalized experience across the platform
What Data Will Be Used?
✅ Public profile details
✅ Content you share publicly (e.g., posts, comments, articles)
❌ Private messages will not be used
LinkedIn says it will process this data based on legitimate interest, but members will have the right to opt out anytime in their account settings.
Affiliate Data Sharing: LinkedIn + Microsoft
Another important change involves how LinkedIn shares data with its Affiliates — a term that now explicitly includes Microsoft and its subsidiaries.
- For some regions, the types of data shared with Microsoft will expand, particularly for advertising services.
- Members will have new opt-out settings to control this sharing.
Updates to the User Agreement
The revised User Agreement is also getting clearer and stricter:
- Clarity & readability: Key terms like “Affiliate” are more prominent.
- AI & deep fakes: Content that includes deep fakes or wrongful impersonation is explicitly prohibited.
- Payment methods: LinkedIn may use secondary payment methods you’ve provided if your primary one fails.
- Appeals process: Members now have clearer rights to appeal LinkedIn’s decisions that affect account usage.
- Change notifications: LinkedIn may skip prior notice of changes when laws shift or new products are introduced.
What’s Not Changing
- Your existing ad and data privacy settings remain intact
- No settings are being removed, only clarified
- LinkedIn continues to offer control and transparency over how your data is used
Region-Specific Notes
- EU, EEA, Switzerland, UK: Data will now be used for AI training, with opt-out controls available.
- Canada & Hong Kong: Included in AI training scope, with similar opt-out options.
- United States: No new AI-related changes, but updates in the State Regional Privacy Notice focus on targeted ads.
- All Other Countries: By using LinkedIn after November 3, 2025, you agree to the new terms.
Why This Matters for You
This update highlights the growing role of AI in professional networking. LinkedIn is positioning itself as more than just a networking site — it’s becoming an AI-powered career assistant.
But it also raises key questions:
- How comfortable are you with LinkedIn using your profile and posts to train AI?
- Will Microsoft’s expanded role in ad services affect your data privacy?
- Should you opt out, or will the AI-driven personalization add enough value to stay in?
Final Thoughts
LinkedIn’s latest policy update reflects a broader trend: tech platforms are leaning heavily into AI-driven personalization and automation. For professionals, this could mean smarter opportunities, but it also requires vigilance about data rights and privacy.
👉 Action Step: Before November 3, 2025, log in to your LinkedIn settings and review your data usage and ad preferences. Make sure they align with your comfort level.
