Yes, it is possible to delete LinkedIn messages that you have sent or received. However, the process is a bit different depending on whether you want to delete a message you sent or one you received.
Deleting Messages You Have Sent
If you want to delete a message that you sent to another LinkedIn member, you have up to 30 days to do so. Here are the steps:
- Go to your LinkedIn inbox and open the conversation that contains the message you want to delete.
- Hover over the message you want to delete and click the “More” icon (three dots).
- Select “Delete” from the dropdown menu.
- Confirm that you want to delete the message by clicking “Delete” again.
Once you delete a message you sent, it will be removed from both your inbox and the recipient’s inbox. The recipient will see a note indicating that a message was deleted from the conversation thread.
However, there are a few caveats to be aware of when deleting messages you have sent:
- You can only delete messages for up to 30 days after sending them. After that, the “Delete” option is no longer available.
- You cannot retrieve a message after deleting it – the deletion is permanent.
- If the recipient has already read the message before you deleted it, they will still have seen the content.
Deleting Messages You Have Received
Deleting messages you have received from other LinkedIn members works a bit differently. Here are the steps:
- Go to your LinkedIn inbox and open the conversation that contains the message you want to delete.
- Hover over the message and click the “More” icon (three dots).
- Select “Delete” from the dropdown menu.
- Confirm that you want to delete the message.
When you delete a received message, it will be removed from your inbox but will still be visible in the sender’s inbox. You are only deleting your copy of the message, not the sender’s.
A few things to note about deleting received LinkedIn messages:
- You can delete received messages at any time – there is no 30 day limitation.
- The sender will not be notified when you delete a message they sent you.
- If you participate in a group conversation, deleting a single message will only delete it from your view of the conversation.
Permanently Deleting Conversations
If you want to permanently delete an entire conversation from both your inbox and the other party’s inbox, you can request the data erasure of that conversation thread. Here’s how:
- Go to your inbox and open the conversation you want to delete.
- Click on the profile picture of the person you had the conversation with.
- Select “Report/block”.
- Choose “Request data erasure” and confirm by clicking “Submit”.
This will notify LinkedIn to permanently delete the conversation thread from both parties’ inboxes. However, there are some limitations:
- You can only request data erasure on 1-on-1 conversations, not group conversations.
- The other party will be notified that you requested data erasure.
- LinkedIn may not comply with every data erasure request.
- Any messages sent prior to accepting LinkedIn’s data policy change in mid-2020 cannot be erased.
Does Deleting LinkedIn Messages Also Delete Data?
When you delete LinkedIn messages, either individually or entire conversations, does it also delete the data associated with them? The short answer is no.
LinkedIn states that when you delete messages or conversations, it only removes the content from being visible in your inbox. However, LinkedIn retains the data about those messages in their systems.
This includes data such as:
- The date and time the messages were sent.
- The LinkedIn members involved in the conversation.
- The number of messages sent.
- The types of devices the messages were sent or viewed on.
LinkedIn says this information is maintained even after deletion to “meet legal obligations, resolve disputes, enforce our User Agreement, and keep our services operational and secure.”
So in summary – deleting LinkedIn messages removes the content from view, but LinkedIn still retains metadata about the conversation taking place.
Retrieving Deleted LinkedIn Messages
Since LinkedIn holds on to certain data even when messages are deleted, is it possible to retrieve deleted messages?
Unfortunately, there is no way for LinkedIn members to recover deleted messages through normal account options. Once a message is deleted, it’s gone from your inbox permanently.
However, there are a couple potential ways deleted LinkedIn messages could be retrieved:
- LinkedIn data download – If you request an archive of your LinkedIn data, it’s possible that some deleted message metadata may be included, but the content will not be available.
- Legal request – Law enforcement with a valid subpoena or court order could request copies of deleted message data from LinkedIn.
But for the average LinkedIn user, there is no method to recover deleted messages through the platform itself.
Does Deleting LinkedIn Messages Delete Them from LinkedIn’s Servers?
As mentioned previously, when you delete LinkedIn messages or conversations, the content is removed from your inbox but LinkedIn still retains certain data related to those messages. But what about the actual message content – is that deleted from LinkedIn’s servers when you delete it?
The answer is no. When you delete LinkedIn messages, the content is not immediately erased from LinkedIn’s databases or servers. The data likely continues being stored in LinkedIn’s backups and archives until it is eventually overwritten.
LinkedIn’s data policy states that information may be retained in their systems even after it is deleted. The actual length of time varies based on the type of data:
- Profile data may be retained for up to 5 years after account deactivation.
- User generated content may be retained for up to 7 years before being permanently deleted.
- Inactive account information may be retained indefinitely.
So in practice, when you delete a LinkedIn message, the content could still remain in LinkedIn’s servers or databases for an extended period of time before being purged. But it is inaccessible to you or other users through normal account options.
The only way the deleted message content could be retrieved would be if LinkedIn provided it to law enforcement through a valid legal data request.
Best Practices When Deleting LinkedIn Messages
Now that you know more about how deleting LinkedIn messages works, here are some best practices to keep in mind:
- Be careful what you send – Assume any message could be retained or accessible in some form even after deleting.
- Delete sensitive messages ASAP – Don’t wait 30 days if you want a sent message gone sooner.
- Regularly delete old messages – This helps minimize outdated information retained.
- Use “request data erasure” for entire conversations – But no guarantee LinkedIn will comply.
- Remember the limitations – Deletion only affects message visibility, not LinkedIn’s data retention.
Other Options Besides Deleting LinkedIn Messages
If you want to be extra cautious about sensitive information in LinkedIn messages, deleting may not be enough. Here are some other options to consider:
- Avoid sending it – If it’s truly sensitive, maybe don’t send it over LinkedIn messaging at all.
- Use coded language – Don’t refer to anything sensitive explicitly.
- Report issues – File a complaint if LinkedIn won’t erase data upon request.
- Close account – Deactivating your account may purge data sooner.
While LinkedIn messaging can be very useful, it’s not the most secure platform for highly confidential conversations. Keep that in mind as you interact using LinkedIn’s messaging features.
The Takeaway on Deleting LinkedIn Messages
Deleting LinkedIn messages removes them from your inbox view and the other user’s inbox. But LinkedIn retains metadata on those messages and the content likely persists internally undeleted for some extended period of time. True permanent erasure of LinkedIn messages is difficult to guarantee.
So proceed thoughtfully, follow best practices, and don’t rely on deletion as robust protection for sensitive information sent or received. With the right expectations set, LinkedIn messaging can still enable beneficial professional conversations.
