The data protection organization noyb filed a formal complaint this Tuesday against LinkedIn before the Austrian Data Protection Authority. The NGO accuses the professional social network of conditioning users' access to their own personal data on the payment of a subscription.
Noyb alleges violation of Article 15 of the General Data Protection Regulation of the European Union in its filing submitted in Vienna. The entity maintains that the platform severely limits the right of access to personal information.
Payment blocks visit history
According to the organization's analysis, LinkedIn offers the complete list of profile visits exclusively to premium users. This practice prevents free users from knowing who has consulted their digital identity within the network.
"It is false that only paying users can know who has visited their profile" - LinkedIn Spokesperson, statement to APA
A company spokesperson told the Austrian agency APA that they comply with current regulations by disclosing relevant information in their privacy policies. The company denies the accusations and defends the transparency of its current terms.
Question the legality of tracking
The complaint goes beyond charging for access. Noyb questions the legality of tracking visitors on the platform for operating without the explicit consent required for such activity tracking.
The organization founded by jurist Max Schrems demands that LinkedIn fully respond to the affected user's access request. Furthermore, it proposes to the Austrian authority the imposition of a fine for the irregularities detected.