Summary
On November 3, 2025, LinkedIn will implement updates to its Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. These changes introduce new rules for the use of member data in generative AI training, expand how data is shared with affiliates such as Microsoft, and revise advertising agreements. Legal disputes and user concerns highlight the risks and debates around these updates.
Context and Scope
The focus is on LinkedIn’s contractual and policy updates, confirmed through LinkedIn’s own communications and widely reported in the press. Covered topics include the User Agreement, generative AI training, affiliate data sharing, and legal challenges. Other aspects, such as email authenticity checks or visual references, are excluded here.
Exhaustive Narrative of Facts
Terms of Service update
LinkedIn announced that its User Agreement will change on November 3, 2025. The company described the purpose of this revision as clarifying legal terminology and modernizing how user data is handled. At the same time, LinkedIn’s Ads Agreement will be updated to simplify and clarify the rules governing advertising services.
Data and artificial intelligence
From November 3 onward, LinkedIn will use certain types of data to train generative AI models. Information such as profile details, activity in the feed, interactions with ads, and public content may be included. Sensitive categories, including private messages, salary information, payment methods, and login credentials, are excluded. The policy also specifies that members under 18 will not be included.
The AI training feature is enabled by default, though users can disable it through a setting called “Data for Generative AI Improvement.” Disabling it only applies to data generated in the future and does not affect information already processed. Regional variations exist, with stricter limits applying within the European Union and the European Economic Area.
Affiliate data sharing
The updates expand data sharing with LinkedIn’s affiliates, particularly Microsoft. This integration allows Microsoft to personalize advertisements using LinkedIn data such as profile information, feed activity, and engagement. Only data that members allow for advertising purposes will be shared. Even if sharing is restricted, Microsoft advertisements may still appear, though without personalization based on LinkedIn activity.
Legal disputes
The upcoming changes have been accompanied by controversy and legal challenges. A class action lawsuit filed by Premium members alleged that LinkedIn disclosed private messages for AI training without consent. Critics also argued that the opt-out setting was introduced quietly and did not cover previously used data. A Reuters report documented that in January 2025, a lawsuit with similar claims was dismissed in the United States. These disputes reflect ongoing debate about transparency and consent in LinkedIn’s data practices.
Practical Takeaways
- LinkedIn will revise its User Agreement and Privacy Policy on November 3, 2025.
- Generative AI training will use profile, feed, ad, and public content data unless users opt out.
- Private messages, salaries, and sensitive account details are excluded from AI training.
- Affiliate sharing with Microsoft will increase, with ads personalized according to permitted data.
- The opt-out setting is prospective only and does not erase past data use.
- Legal actions highlight concerns about transparency and the limits of consent.
Sources
https://www.linkedin.com/help/linkedin/answer/a8059228?utm_source=chatgpt.com
https://www.linkedin.com/help/linkedin/answer/a1341216/updates-to-user-agreement-and-privacy-policy?utm_source=chatgpt.com
https://news.linkedin.com/2025/-linkedin-updates-terms-of-service?utm_source=chatgpt.com
https://proton.me/blog/linkedin-ai-training?utm_source=chatgpt.com
https://www.lemonde.fr/pixels/article/2025/09/22/linkedin-va-utiliser-les-donnees-personnelles-de-ses-utilisateurs-pour-entrainer-son-ia_6642418_4408996.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com
https://www.helpnetsecurity.com/2025/09/18/linkedin-ai-data-privacy-policy/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
https://gulfnews.com/technology/linkedin-privacy-update-microsoft-can-use-your-data-from-nov-3-how-to-stop-it-1.500281615?utm_source=chatgpt.com
https://www.techradar.com/pro/linkedin-set-to-start-to-train-its-ai-on-member-profiles?utm_source=chatgpt.com
https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/linkedin-updates-terms-of-service-ai-ad-targeting-microsoft/760557/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
https://www.reuters.com/legal/linkedin-lawsuit-over-use-customer-data-ai-models-is-dismissed-2025-01-31/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
My Diary - Leonardo Cardillo 