LinkedIn Allegedly Charges for Access to GDPR-Relevant Data

DER STANDARD reports on a significant complaint filed by the privacy advocacy group Noyb against the professional networking platform LinkedIn. The core of the issue lies in LinkedIn's alleged practice of restricting access to certain data, specifically information about who has viewed a user's profile, to only those users who subscribe to its premium services. Noyb argues that this constitutes a violation of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

The NGO's stance is that data related to profile views should be considered 'joint data' of both the visitor and the visited, and therefore, under GDPR, should be accessible to all users, not just those willing to pay. This complaint, lodged with the Austrian data protection authority, puts a spotlight on how large tech platforms handle user data and comply with stringent privacy regulations like the GDPR, which is a cornerstone of data protection in Europe.

From an Austrian and European perspective, this case is emblematic of the ongoing tension between tech giants and data privacy advocates. Noyb, based in Vienna, is known for its assertive approach to enforcing data protection rights. This complaint highlights a uniquely European concern: the robust legal framework designed to protect individuals' digital privacy. While other regions might have different approaches to data regulation, the GDPR's comprehensive nature means that actions by companies like LinkedIn have significant implications across the EU. DER STANDARD's coverage frames this not just as a dispute over a feature, but as a critical test of GDPR's effectiveness in holding powerful platforms accountable for their data handling practices.