LinkedIn hit millions with unwanted ads on Facebook

NETWORKING site LinkedIn used the email addresses of 18million nonmembers and targeted them with adverts on Facebook.

The Data Protection Commissioner (DPC) audited the company’s EU headquarters in Dublin and its findings were published yesterday.

Following a complaint from a nonLinkedIn user that their email address had been obtained by the site and used for targeted advertising, it emerged that company’s USbased data processor had processed the email addresses of 18 million non-members without instruction from Ireland.

The DPC report said the complaint was resolved amicably and that LinkedIn implemented immediate actions to stop the data processing.

But the DPC expressed concern with ‘wider systemic issues identified’ and audited the firm.

The report said: ‘An audit was commenced to verify that LinkedIn had in place appropriate technical security and organisation measures, particularly for its processing of nonmember data and its retention of such data.’

A spokesman for LinkedIn Ireland said: ‘We appreciate the DPC’s 2017 investigation of a complaint about an advertising campaign and fully cooperated.

‘Unfortunately the strong processes and procedures we have in place were not followed and for that we are sorry.’