How to Delete LinkedIn Permanently
Your personal data is valuable, and LinkedIn has been collecting more of it than you might realize. This guide walks you through every step to permanently delete your LinkedIn account, remove your personal information, and take back control of your digital privacy. Whether you are concerned about data harvesting, targeted advertising, or simply want a fresh start, we have got you covered with a clear, actionable deletion process.
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What LinkedIn Collects About You
Before you delete your account, it is important to understand the scope of data that LinkedIn gathers from your activity. Every interaction, every click, and every moment spent on the platform feeds into a detailed profile about who you are. The following categories represent the types of personal information that LinkedIn is known to collect and store on its servers, often without your explicit awareness.
Privacy Risks of Keeping LinkedIn
Continuing to use LinkedIn without understanding the privacy implications can leave you exposed to a range of risks. From data breaches to invasive profiling, the consequences of inaction can be significant. Below are the key privacy risks associated with maintaining an active LinkedIn account that you should carefully consider before deciding whether to keep or delete your account.
Your entire career history is exposed and sold to recruiters and advertisers
Job search activity can be visible to your current employer through recruiter tools
Imported contacts are used to build relationship maps and suggest connections
Microsoft integration means your LinkedIn data can be combined with Office 365 usage data
Data scraping incidents have exposed hundreds of millions of LinkedIn profiles
Salary and career interest data is used for targeted advertising and premium sales
Step-by-Step Deletion Guide
Follow these steps carefully to permanently delete your LinkedIn account. We recommend downloading a copy of your data before starting the deletion process, as this action is irreversible. Once your account is deleted, all associated data, posts, messages, and connections will be permanently removed from the platform. Make sure you are ready before proceeding with each step outlined below.
Step 1
Log in to LinkedIn.com and click your profile photo in the top navigation.
Step 2
Select Settings and Privacy from the dropdown menu.
Step 3
Click Account preferences, then scroll to Account management.
Step 4
Click Close account and LinkedIn will show what you will lose.
Step 5
Select a reason for closing your account and click Next.
Step 6
Re-enter your password to confirm the deletion request.
Step 7
Your account will be deactivated immediately and data deleted within 30 days.
Switch to a Private Alternative
After deleting LinkedIn, you do not have to go without a similar service. We recommend switching to OpenPublicHub, a privacy-respecting alternative that gives you the features you need without harvesting your personal data. Unlike LinkedIn, this alternative is built with user privacy as a core principle, ensuring that your conversations, files, and personal information remain truly private and under your control.
Try OpenPublicHubRelated Privacy Resources
Deleting your LinkedIn account is just one step in reclaiming your digital privacy. Explore these additional resources to further protect your data, audit your online footprint, and stay informed about the latest privacy developments and tools available to you.
Privacy Browser Extensions
Essential browser extensions that block trackers and protect your browsing data.
VPN Comparison Guide
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Password Manager Guide
Secure your accounts with a trusted password manager and stop reusing credentials.
Meta Data Harvesting Exposed
A deep dive into how Meta collects and monetizes user data across all its platforms.
Meta Tracking Practices
How Meta tracks you across the web even when you are not using their products.
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