NOYB files GDPR complaint against LinkedIn's premium subscription

Austrian privacy and digital rights advocacy group NOYB has filed a formal complaint with the Austrian data protection authority (DPA) against LinkedIn, claiming that the Microsoft-owned platform is restricting access to personal data behind a premium subscription. The complaint focuses on a feature that allows users to see who has visited their profile over the previous 365 days, a service currently reserved for paid premium members.

According to the complaint, LinkedIn tracks profile visits and uses those insights to incentivise paid subscriptions. Under Article 15 of the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), individuals have the right to access their personal data free of charge. However, LinkedIn reportedly refuses to provide this specific visitor data in its responses to subject access requests (SARs), citing the data protection concerns of other users.

NOYB argues that such a justification is contradictory and that if LinkedIn is willing to disclose the data for a fee, it cannot then claim privacy concerns as a reason to deny free access. Furthermore, NOYB questioned the legality of LinkedIn's tracking methods, noting that the platform operates on an opt-out basis rather than seeking active consent. The complaint highlights a broader issue of companies monetising GDPR rights or charging fees for data corrections and access.

Training Announcement: Freevacy offers a range of independent data protection qualifications from IAPP and BCS. Our certified courses are available at foundation and practitioner levels and cover multiple legal jurisdictions, data protection operations management, and the implementation of complex privacy solutions in technical environments. Find out more.