LinkedIn is a popular professional networking platform used by millions of people to connect with colleagues, find jobs, market businesses, and more. However, many users are concerned about how LinkedIn handles and shares their personal data. A common question is: how can I prevent LinkedIn from selling or sharing my information?
What information does LinkedIn collect?
When you create a LinkedIn profile, you provide personal information like your name, email address, job history, education, skills, photo, etc. LinkedIn also collects data on your usage of the platform, such as your connections, page views, searches, clicks, etc. Some of the information LinkedIn may have includes:
- Name
- Email address
- Phone number
- Physical address
- Employer name
- Job title and history
- Education history
- Skills and endorsements
- Photo
- Birthdate
- Gender
- Interests and hobbies
- Connections/network
- Posts, articles, and activity
- Device and browser information
This gives LinkedIn extensive data about its users. While much of it is willingly provided, some is tracked behind the scenes too.
How does LinkedIn use my information?
LinkedIn states in its privacy policy that it uses your information for purposes like:
- Providing, maintaining, and improving LinkedIn products and services
- Researching and developing new products and features
- Providing customized content and information to you
- Serving targeted ads
- Processing your requests, transactions, and payments
- Providing customer support
- Sending you communications and marketing
- Protecting LinkedIn and LinkedIn users
Essentially, LinkedIn collects data to analyze usage patterns, personalize the experience, show relevant ads, and conduct research for product development. Your information helps LinkedIn understand their users and market/sell to them.
Does LinkedIn sell my data?
LinkedIn states in its privacy policy that it does not sell your personal data to third parties. However, they do share information with:
- Affiliated companies like Microsoft
- Vendors and service providers
- Business partners
- Advertisers
- Researchers and academics
- The public through your profile and posts
While not a direct sale of data, this extensive sharing still allows your information to be spread widely. Data sharing can be for purposes like serving targeted ads, analytics, fraud prevention, corporate transactions, research studies, etc.
How to stop LinkedIn from sharing your data
There is no way to completely prevent LinkedIn from collecting or sharing your data if you use their platform. However, there are some steps you can take to limit the extent of data sharing:
- Adjust privacy settings – Go to your account Privacy & Settings to manage options for data sharing. You can limit profile viewing, customize ad targeting, and turn off data usage for research and analytics.
- Be selective in sharing information – Do not add unnecessary personal details to your profile. Only share what is required for a professional network.
- Limit ad tracking – Opt out of interest-based ads in your account settings or browser settings. This reduces ad targeting.
- Use an alternate email – Sign up with an email created just for LinkedIn rather than your personal address.
- Bolster security – Turn on two-factor authentication and use strong unique passwords to protect your account.
- Review affiliations – Be cautious when linking other accounts like Twitter and Facebook which allow more data sharing.
- Check settings regularly – LinkedIn may change privacy policies or defaults, so review your settings periodically.
- Delete account if needed – If you are still uncomfortable, delete your LinkedIn account altogether.
Other options to control data sharing
In addition to LinkedIn privacy settings, you can take broader actions to control your data:
- Use a VPN and private browsing when on LinkedIn to mask identity and limit tracking.
- Install browser extensions that block online trackers.
- Clear cookies and cache frequently to remove locally stored data.
- Disable LinkedIn’s ability to access phone contacts and location.
- Avoid logging in with social accounts like Facebook that share data.
- Monitor your credit report for signs of identity theft.
- Opt out of data broker registries that sell consumer data.
Conclusion
While LinkedIn provides value in networking and career development, it comes at the cost of significant data collection and sharing. Adjusting privacy settings, being selective in sharing, and using technical methods like VPNs and tracker blockers can help mitigate privacy risks. But ultimately, engaging on a platform like LinkedIn means surrendering some control over how your information is used.