“Processing of personal data without an appropriate legal basis is a clear and serious violation,” says EU as it fines LinkedIn $334 million for violating GDPR
LinkedIn has received a massive fine and faces a reprimand for how it processed user data.
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What you need to know
LinkedIn received a €310 million ($334 million) fine from the European Union (EU) for violating data protection laws. Alongside that fine, the Microsoft-owned LinkedIn received a reprimand and an order to bring data processing into compliance. The inquiry that resulted in a fine and other forms of punishment centered around LinkedIn’s processing of personal data “for the purposes of [behavioral] analysis and targeted advertising of users who have created LinkedIn profiles.”
Commissioners for Data Protection, Dr Des Hogan and Dale Sunderlandnotified LinkedIn of the decision this week.
“The lawfulness of processing is a fundamental aspect of data protection law and the processing of personal data without an appropriate legal basis is a clear and serious violation of a data subjects’ fundamental right to data protection," said DPC Deputy Commissioner Graham Doyle.
Specifically, the decision notes the following infringements of GDPR:
In layman’s terms, LinkedIn did not get consent from its users to use data for advertising and analyzing customer behavior. Additionally, LinkedIn did not show a legitimate interest or need to gather and process the customer data in the way it did.
This week’s decision by the EU follows a complaint made in August 2018 by French non-profit organisation, La Quadrature Du Ne. The complaint was first looked at by the French Data Protection Authority before the DPC took a look.
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Sean Endicott is a tech journalist at Windows Central, specializing in Windows, Microsoft software, AI, and PCs. He’s covered major launches, from Windows 10 and 11 to the rise of AI tools like ChatGPT. Sean’s journey began with the Lumia 740, leading to strong ties with app developers. Outside writing, he coaches American football, utilizing Microsoft services to manage his team. He studied broadcast journalism at Nottingham Trent University and is active on X @SeanEndicott_ and Threads @sean_endicott_.
