LinkedIn Faces GDPR Investigation Over Profile Viewer Information Access
LinkedIn is currently under scrutiny in Austria following a privacy complaint concerning its feature that allows only paying users to see who has viewed their profile. The complaint, supported by the European privacy rights group Noyb, was filed by an individual in Austria. Noyb argues that under the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), this information should be accessible to all users without charge.
The GDPR grants individuals several rights regarding their personal data, including the right of access under Article 15. This right ensures that users can request and receive a copy of their personal data held by a company. According to Noyb, LinkedIn restricts access to profile viewer information to premium subscribers, who pay around €30 per month. Non-paying users who request this data reportedly face denial, raising concerns about compliance with GDPR.
Martin Baumann, a data protection lawyer at Noyb, criticized LinkedIn’s approach, stating that it is unreasonable for companies to prioritize data protection only when it benefits their sales. Noyb plans to ask the Austrian data protection authority to investigate the complaint thoroughly and consider imposing penalties if GDPR violations are confirmed. EU fines for such breaches can reach up to 4% of a company’s global annual turnover.
LinkedIn responded to the allegations by denying the claims, stating that the assertion that only premium members can see who viewed their profiles is false. The company also maintained that it complies with GDPR Article 15 by providing the relevant information through its Privacy Policy. This case follows a previous GDPR fine of €310 million imposed on LinkedIn in October 2024 for issues related to data processing for behavioral advertising.
