The EU has slapped a $334 million fine on LinkedIn over its targeted advertising practices. The Microsoft-owned social media platform may not challenge the fine. Instead, it would change its ad practices to comply with the GDPR.
LinkedIn fined $334 million by lead European Union privacy regulator
The EU has confirmed LinkedIn is liable to pay a 310 million euro (approx. $334 million) fine. The regulator has fined the Microsoft-owned professional networking platform for its targeted advertising practices.
The Irish Data Protection Commission (DPC) has determined that LinkedIn had improperly conducted behavioral analyses of the EU members’ personal data for targeted advertising. The regulator is relying on the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) that’s currently in effect in the EU.
Speaking about the fine on LinkedIn, DPC Deputy Commissioner Graham Doyle stated, “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.”
Simply put, the EU watchdog has argued that LinkedIn violated the GDPR by not obtaining proper consent. Moreover, it has accused the networking platform of failing to demonstrate legitimate interest or showing a contractual necessity to process the data it and third parties collected.
Did Microsoft expect to pay a fine for its data collection policies?
Microsoft was reportedly aware it could face some heat from the EU over its data collection practices. According to Reuters, back in 2023, the tech giant said it expected to take a charge of about $425 million for a potential fine from the Irish regulator for its LinkedIn unit.
LinkedIn hasn’t categorically refuted the allegations. The company issued a statement that said, “While we believe we have complied with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), we are working to ensure our ad practices meet this decision by the IDPC’s deadline.”
It appears LinkedIn might not contest the fine. Instead, the company has indicated it would alter its data collection practices or policies to ensure the company complies with the GDPR.
