iTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
Ireland’s Data Protection Commission (DPC) fined LinkedIn Ireland €310 million in October 2024 for GDPR violations involving the use of members’ personal data for behavioural analysis, targeted advertising and analytics. The often-reported $335 million figure is an approximate conversion; the official fine is in euros. The DPC’s register listed the case as “Pending Appeal” when checked on 30 September 2026, and the available information does not establish that LinkedIn has paid the fine.
What did LinkedIn do wrong under the GDPR?
The DPC’s inquiry examined LinkedIn’s processing of members’ personal data for behavioural analysis and targeted advertising, including data obtained from third parties. It found infringements of four GDPR provisions:
- Article 5(1)(a): the fairness principle.
- Article 6(1): the requirement to have a valid lawful basis for processing personal data.
- Articles 13(1)(c) and 14(1)(c): requirements to provide information about the purposes of processing and its legal basis, respectively, when collecting data directly from people or obtaining it from other sources.
In short, the DPC found that LinkedIn did not have an appropriate legal basis for the relevant processing and did not meet associated fairness and transparency requirements. The fine was not simply for running targeted ads: it concerned how the personal data used for advertising, behavioural analysis and analytics was processed and explained to members.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →How did the DPC calculate the €310 million fine?
The DPC’s final decision imposed three administrative fines. Together they total €310 million:
| Fine | Processing addressed | DPC’s stated basis |
|---|---|---|
| €105 million | Third-party member data used for behavioural analysis and targeted advertising | No valid lawful basis for the processing |
| €110 million | First-party processing for behavioural analysis and targeted advertising, and third-party processing for analytics | No valid lawful basis for the processing |
| €95 million | Reliance on legitimate interests | Findings concerning that legal basis and related transparency requirements |
The DPC also issued LinkedIn a reprimand and ordered it to bring the relevant processing into compliance. The order required LinkedIn to make its privacy-policy information compliant and to take action so that the behavioural-analysis and targeted-advertising processing met GDPR Article 6’s legal-basis requirements.
Did LinkedIn pay the fine?
The available official status does not establish that the fine has been paid. The DPC’s fines register listed the matter as “Pending Appeal” when checked on 30 September 2026. That status means the case should not be described as fully resolved; it does not, by itself, confirm whether any payment has been made.
Rank #2
- Income And Expense Log Book: This Income and Expense Record Book（8.5" x 10.5"） is a necessary item for any small business owner or entrepreneur. It is an essential part of any business - helping you understand your overall earnings to determine if you are profitable.
- Daily Tracking and Weekly Overview: let our log tell you if you are profitable today! There are two pages per week to help you you track your income and expenses. At the end of each day or week, you can note whether you made a profit or a loss for the day.
- Clear P&L Statement For Your Business: This income and expense book makes it easy to see your expenses and how they fluctuate from time to time. This makes it easy for you to decide where you can cut back on expenses and assess your total annual net profit.
- Main Features: Expense Review + Income Review + Weekly Pages + Summary of The Year + Twin-Wire Binding + Waterproof Cover + Rounded corner design + Thicker paper
- Effective Organization: This budget book has a twin-wire binding and you can easily lay it flat at 180°. This effective design can help you work better and bring you great convenience in the process of using.
Is the LinkedIn privacy fine still under appeal?
Yes. The DPC register listed the case as pending appeal as of 30 September 2026. On 20 April 2026, the Irish High Court issued a preliminary judgment addressing how the statutory appeal is conducted. It held that the appeal concerns the decision to impose a fine and proceeds on the record, while new evidence or argument may be admitted at the court’s discretion under section 150(5).
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsThat preliminary judgment is procedural. It does not finally uphold or overturn the DPC’s enforcement decision, and it does not establish that LinkedIn paid the fine.
When did the investigation and appeal happen?
- 2018–2024: The DPC conducted a complaint-based inquiry lasting more than six years.
- 22 October 2024: The DPC made its final decision and imposed the €310 million total.
- 24 October 2024: The DPC announced the decision publicly.
- 20 April 2026: The Irish High Court issued its preliminary procedural judgment in LinkedIn’s appeal.
- 30 September 2026: The DPC fines register still listed the case as “Pending Appeal.”
Who imposed the fine?
The fine was imposed by Ireland’s Data Protection Commission, LinkedIn’s lead EU supervisory authority for this matter. DPC Deputy Commissioner Graham Doyle said: “The lawfulness of processing is a fundamental aspect of data protection law and the processing of personal data without an appropriate legal basis is a clear and serious violation of a data subjects’ fundamental right to data protection.”
Quick Recap
Best Value
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
