LinkedIn Hit with GDPR Complaint Over Premium Paywall on Profile View Data Access

Privacy advocacy group noyb has filed a formal complaint against LinkedIn before the Austrian Data Protection Authority, alleging the platform violates the EU's General Data Protection Regulation by restricting users' access rights while simultaneously charging for the same information through its premium subscription tier.

The complaint centers on LinkedIn's "Who viewed your profile" feature, which tracks profile visits and displays a list of visitors from the past 365 days exclusively to Premium subscribers. According to noyb, when a user submitted a formal access request under Article 15 of the GDPR—which guarantees individuals the right to obtain their personal data free of charge—LinkedIn refused to provide the information. The advocacy group argues the same data remains available behind a paid wall, raising questions about whether the platform's tracking practices themselves comply with regulatory requirements. The case hinges on whether access to one's own profile visit history constitutes personal data that must be provided at no cost.

The complaint signals broader regulatory pressure on major tech platforms to align commercial data services with EU privacy mandates. If the Austrian authority upholds the complaint, LinkedIn could face enforcement action requiring it to offer profile view data at no charge. The outcome may set a precedent affecting how social media platforms structure premium features relative to GDPR compliance obligations across the European Union.