Will LinkedIn follow Facebook? The changes in the account settings of LinkedIn caused quite some commotion this week. Since last June LinkedIn can use the names and photographs of its members for third party advertisements on its website. LinkedIn members tacitly agreed with this; at each LinkedIn profile this option is checked by default.
Can LinkedIn just do that? Not according to the privacy rules that apply in the Netherlands. For the use of personal information such as names and photographs unambiguous consent is required (opt in). LinkedIn members never gave this kind of consent. LinkedIn only offers members the right to reverse their consent afterwards (opt-out). (See below for instructions).
In its own privacy statement LinkedIn states that in the event that there are significant changes in its privacy policy LinkedIn will inform members on the website or by sending an email. It seems to me that the use of names and photographs is such a significant change. It is not very likely that LinkedIn fulfils the obligation of its own privacy policy. LinkedIn says that it has communicated the changes in two blogs on the website and in a banner that appeared at the login. However, no one seems to have seen that banner yet ....
Kim Braber
Revoke consent:
Click on your name (top right) and in the menu that appears on "Settings". Then click on “Account and "Manage Social Advertising". Finally, tick off the box for "use my name and LinkedIn May photo in social advertising".
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office Emerald House Jozef Israëlskade 48-G Amsterdam, the Netherlands t +31 (0)20 - 305 3066 www.hoogenhaak.nl |
post PO Box 76780 1070 KB Amsterdam e info@hoogenhaak.nl f +31 (0)20 - 305 3069 chamber of commerce 34314579 |
Will LinkedIn follow Facebook? The changes in the account settings of LinkedIn caused quite some commotion this week. Since last June LinkedIn can use the names and photographs of its members for third party advertisements on its website. LinkedIn members tacitly agreed with this; at each LinkedIn profile this option is checked by default.
Can LinkedIn just do that? Not according to the privacy rules that apply in the Netherlands. For the use of personal information such as names and photographs unambiguous consent is required (opt in). LinkedIn members never gave this kind of consent. LinkedIn only offers members the right to reverse their consent afterwards (opt-out). (See below for instructions).
In its own privacy statement LinkedIn states that in the event that there are significant changes in its privacy policy LinkedIn will inform members on the website or by sending an email. It seems to me that the use of names and photographs is such a significant change. It is not very likely that LinkedIn fulfils the obligation of its own privacy policy. LinkedIn says that it has communicated the changes in two blogs on the website and in a banner that appeared at the login. However, no one seems to have seen that banner yet ....
Kim Braber
Revoke consent:
Click on your name (top right) and in the menu that appears on "Settings". Then click on “Account and "Manage Social Advertising". Finally, tick off the box for "use my name and LinkedIn May photo in social advertising".