LinkedIn Fined €310m for GDPR Violations in Advertising Practices
LinkedIn Ireland Unlimited Company has been fined €310m ($336m) by the Irish Data Protection Commission (DPC) for violating the EU's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). The penalty, one of the largest under the GDPR, follows a complaint by French non-profit La Quadrature Du Net in 2018.
The inquiry revealed that LinkedIn processed personal data without formal consent, lacked legitimate interest for processing, and did not adhere to the principle of fairness. The violations occurred in LinkedIn's advertising practices, contravening Articles 5, 6, 13, and 14 of the GDPR. The DPC's decision includes three administrative fines totaling €310m, a reprimand, and an order for LinkedIn to comply with the GDPR.
The complaint was initially made in August 2018, with the DPC acting as the lead supervisory authority. After a thorough investigation, the DPC submitted a draft decision to the GDPR cooperation mechanism in July 2024, which was subsequently validated.
LinkedIn acknowledged the DPC's decision but has not confirmed whether it will challenge the fine. The €310m penalty serves as a stark reminder of the significant consequences for companies that fail to comply with the GDPR's strict data protection rules.
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