LinkedIn is now using everyone's content to train their AI tool

Original Article ↗ Hacker News Discussion ↗

Scope of the New AI Setting

  • LinkedIn is using user-generated content and “personal data” to train its AI tools.
  • A new preference controls this; many users found it turned ON by default, including some paying/premium users.
  • Some note this likely only affects future data; anything already ingested won’t be removed from existing models.

Regional Differences & GDPR

  • Multiple EU/EEA users report not seeing the AI-training setting at all; others see it but say it 404s.
  • A LinkedIn help page excerpt (cited in the thread) claims models are not currently trained on content from EU/EEA/Swiss members.
  • UK users generally do see the setting, often enabled by default, despite having data protection laws.
  • Posters debate whether this is due to GDPR’s strength or LinkedIn’s fear of its enforcement.

Ethical, Legal, and Consent Concerns

  • Many object to auto-enrollment and retroactive repurposing of data, saying nobody originally consented to AI training.
  • Debate on whether ToS changes and silent opt-ins constitute informed consent; some argue they are effectively coercive.
  • Several point out that if users are required to use LinkedIn for employment opportunities, regulators should restrict such data use.
  • Others take a fatalistic view: any data given to platforms will be used for ads and AI unless strong regulation intervenes.

Perceptions of LinkedIn Content & AI Quality

  • Widespread mockery of LinkedIn feed content as shallow, self-promotional, and already “AI-sounding.”
  • Some predict the model will be “cringe,” full of humblebrags and inspirational trauma stories.
  • Others highlight a real market for resume/cover-letter helpers and job-search copilots, seeing business value.

Impact on Jobs, Hiring, and the Platform

  • Concerns that AI will flood hiring with low-effort applications and automated recruiter responses, worsening signal-to-noise.
  • Some argue this accelerates “bullshit jobs” and automated “influencing,” making professional life more performative.
  • A minority defend LinkedIn as a useful place for professional discussion, learning, and actual contract/job leads.

User Responses & Mitigations

  • Many share direct opt-out URLs (with mixed success by region).
  • Some advocate simply deleting LinkedIn accounts as the only reliable opt-out.