EU fines LinkedIn $334 million for data protection violations

The European Union has fined LinkedIn €310 million ($334 million) for misusing users' personal data in targeted advertising.

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The Irish Data Protection Commission (DPC) found that the company had not obtained proper consent to process the data, nor had it confirmed the existence of a legitimate interest or necessity for the performance of a contract for its use.

The DPC stressed that the processing of personal data must be lawful, and if it is not, it seriously violates the rights of users.

The fine arose from a complaint filed by the French organisation La Quadrature Du Net, which in 2018 questioned the legality of LinkedIn's data processing.

A LinkedIn spokesperson said that the company considers its activities to be legal under the GDPR, but is currently working to ensure that its advertising practices comply with the DPC. The company will have to show that it is compliant in the future.

Source: Irish Data Protection Commission