Why I chose to leave LinkedIn

I hadn't logged into LinkedIn for quite a while.

Over the last few years, my visits had become less and less frequent. Every now and then I'd check in, update something, or respond to a message. I had never particularly enjoyed LinkedIn's user experience, and over time I found fewer and fewer reasons to put up with it.

When I recently tried to access my account again, LinkedIn asked me to verify my identity with a government-issued ID before I could continue.

I decided not to.

This is simply where I draw the line.

I'm not questioning that identity verification can make sense in certain situations. There are cases where stronger identity checks are necessary or useful. But for me, providing a government-issued identity document to access a professional networking platform is not something I want to normalize.

Since I wasn't relying on LinkedIn anyway, the decision was easy: instead of submitting my ID, I chose to move on.

Looking ahead#

I'm increasingly interested in open protocols and systems where identity is portable and not locked into a single platform.

One project I'm particularly excited about is Sifa ID , a professional network being built on the AT Protocol (atproto). It's still early, but I appreciate the direction: open protocols, portable identity, and an ecosystem that isn't controlled by a single company.

If you'd like to stay in touch, you can find me there .

For me, this isn't really about leaving one platform. It's about choosing the kind of internet I want to participate in: one built around openness, interoperability, and user choice.

I'd like to see more of that spirit reflected in the platforms we rely on every day.

Side note#

Separate from my decision to leave LinkedIn, there's another topic worth mentioning: BrowserGate.

The project investigates LinkedIn's browser scanning practices and the privacy and legal questions around them. It documents technical findings and raises broader questions about transparency, consent, and platform accountability.

If you care about digital privacy, it's worth taking a look: