LinkedIn's Tactics: Are User Accounts Being Held Hostage for Data Collection?
LinkedIn's credibility in protecting their user’s data has been under scrutiny for some time now, especially after facing prior legal challenges, including class action lawsuits over mishandling user’s data, and over-reporting ad clicks on its platform. Current legal battles include:
Topdevz LLC, et al. v. Linkedin Corp., LinkedIn has agreed to pay at least $6.6 million to businesses that bought ads on its platform to end claims it over-reported “clicks” on ads to make them look more successful than they were.
LinkedIn ERISA Litigation, Case No. 5:20-cv-05704-EJD, LinkedIn agreed to pay $6.75 million as part of a class action lawsuit settlement to resolve claims that it violated the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) by mismanaging its 401(k) retirement plan.
Tracee Sweet, Lisa Jaramillo, James Ralston, and Tiffany Thomas v. LinkedIn Corporation, This class action of plaintiffs claim that LinkedIn not only sold employment information that may or may not be accurate, but also obtained said information in part from unwitting members.
and currently
Jackson v. LinkedIn Corp., The class action lawsuit that claims the social media company unlawfully tracked the activities of members who visited the California Department of Motor Vehicles’ website to apply for, renew or check the status of a disability placard.
LinkedIn's past legal culls undoubtedly show its disregard to uphold a brand that user’s can trust, and it’s commitment to using dishonest practices to harvest consumer data and maliciously overcharging its clients to accumulate more capital.
However, the calculated moves of the business continues. Linkedin has created a Pandora's box of obstacles —their help center— for users trying to retrieve their accounts. This has made navigating the account recovery process extremely difficult for individuals who do not wish to submit their sensitive documents, and much rather proceed with their less privacy-invasive option, submitting a notary form.