The European Union’s privacy regulator has fined Microsoft’s LinkedIn €310 million ($335 million) for violating data protection laws related to targeted advertising practices, Reuters reports.
The Irish Data Protection Commissioner (DPC), which oversees major US tech firms due to their EU operations in Ireland, stated that LinkedIn processed personal data without a valid legal basis, violating individuals’ rights to data protection under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
Microsoft had anticipated a potential fine of around $425 million from the DPC. LinkedIn maintains that it complied with GDPR but will adjust its advertising practices to meet the regulator’s requirements.
