European regulators have set their sights on LinkedIn, inquiring about the social network’s use of user data for targeted advertisements. The request for information (RFI) comes from the Commission, the governing body responsible for overseeing compliance with a subset of regulations outlined in the Digital Services Act (DSA).
The Commission wrote that it’s asking for “more details on how [LinkedIn’s] service complies with the prohibition of presenting advertisements based on profiling using special categories of personal data.”
The DSA specifically prohibits larger platforms, such as LinkedIn, from utilizing sensitive data for targeted ads. This includes personal information on topics such as health, politics, religion, race, sexual orientation, and trade union membership. The law also requires platforms to provide users with basic information about the ads they see and make their advertisements archive searchable to increase accountability.
According to a press release from the Commission, LinkedIn has until April 5th to respond to the RFI. In the meantime, a spokesperson for the social network stated that they comply with the DSA and look forward to cooperating with the Commission.
This RFI is just the first step in a larger enforcement process. The EU may launch a formal investigation if they are not satisfied with LinkedIn’s response. Such action could result in fines up to 6% of the company’s global annual turnover.
The RFI was prompted by a complaint from several civil society organizations in February. They called for proper enforcement of the DSA. However, LinkedIn is not the only platform under scrutiny by the EU when it comes to data usage for advertisements. Meta, the company behind Facebook and Instagram, also received an RFI earlier this month.
The Commission has made it clear that they are prioritizing enforcement actions on issues such as illegal content, child protection, election security, and marketplace safety. In addition to these concerns, they have also ramped up investigations into social media platforms for their content moderation practices and transparency. As of today, the Commission has sent numerous RFIs to tech giants, including inquiries about generative AI and its potential impact on the upcoming European Parliament elections.
