LinkedIn scanning users' browser extensions sparks controversy and two lawsuits
7 hours ago
- #Privacy Policy
- #Browser Scanning
- #LinkedIn Lawsuit
- LinkedIn is facing two class action lawsuits for scanning users' browsers to detect installed extensions.
- The lawsuits were filed in US District Court for Northern California, seeking to represent all US LinkedIn users.
- Complaints reference the 'BrowserGate' report by Fairlinked, a German trade association, which criticizes LinkedIn's disclosure practices.
- LinkedIn, owned by Microsoft, confirms scanning but disputes whether its privacy policy adequately informs users about this practice.
- Scans occur on Chrome and Chromium-based browsers to identify extensions that may scrape user data in violation of terms.
- LinkedIn's privacy policy mentions collecting data on 'web browser and add-ons', which includes extensions, but critics argue it's insufficient.