LinkedIn Faces Dual US Class Actions For Browser Extension Scanning

LinkedIn faces two class action lawsuits in US federal court.

“LinkedIn is facing two lawsuits over its practice of scanning users’ browsers to determine which extensions they’re running”

Ars Technica

The complaints rely on a report by the German group Fairlinked.

Ars Technica

LinkedIn does not deny it scans browsers to identify extensions.

The scanning is performed on Chrome and Chromium-based browsers.

LinkedIn's privacy policy discloses collecting information about browser and add-ons.

Fairlinked's report detailed how LinkedIn checks for over 6,000 specific Chrome extensions.

The operation runs silently with no visible prompt.

TechRadar

BleepingComputer independently confirmed the scanning behavior.

The report alleges LinkedIn scans for over 200 competing products.

LinkedIn calls the scanning system Spectroscopy.

LinkedIn admits collecting this data along with other device information.

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TechRadar

The BrowserGate report and lawsuits allege the privacy policy isn't extensive enough.

PCMag quotes LinkedIn calling it a house of cards built entirely upon a fabrication.

The lawsuits demand LinkedIn pay damages and cease scanning.

The dispute centers on adequate disclosure and use of information.