LinkedIn Is Illegally Searching Your Computer
browsergate.eu
Microsoft is running one of the largest corporate espionage operations in modern history. Every time any of LinkedIn’s one billion users visits linkedin.com, hidden code searches their computer for installed software, collects the results, and transmits them to LinkedIn’s servers and to third-party companies including an American-Israeli cybersecurity firm. The user is never asked. Never told. LinkedIn’s privacy policy does not mention it. Because LinkedIn knows each user’s real name, employer, and job title, it is not searching anonymous visitors. It is searching identified people at identified companies. Millions of companies. Every day. All over the world.
      • KairuByte@lemmy.dbzer0.com
        34·
        1 month ago

        Oh, browser extensions. And specifically on chromium browsers.

        Yeah, that makes much more sense than “any installed software”. It also throws out their claim of this being illegal. Using a browser API endpoint to say “hey do you have this extension” isn’t illegal, at least in most countries.

        Is this shitty behavior? Yes. Is this anywhere near what their clickbait title and honestly clickbait article claim? Not in the slightest.

          • KairuByte@lemmy.dbzer0.com
            4·
            1 month ago

            Eh, I can see how that might work under EU law. So I suppose there’s a potential for it to be illegal in the EU then.

            Though I do question the extent that could reach, since “left leaning lesbians looking for work only browser” could be the user agent if someone was so inclined. Admittedly though, that’s outside the scope of this argument.

  • AthanAster@lemmy.ml
    7·
    1 month ago

    So this is basically fingerprinting extensions? They aren’t scanning your system but it’s still invasive if they aren’t mentioning this anywhere. Seems like a browser level issue, not really illegal in most places, but definitely shady behavior that should be flagged.

    • Nooodel@lemmy.worldOP
      5·
      1 month ago

      They save that with your clear name making it a GDPR violation, as they a) don’t have a legit reason to do so and b) fail to disclose it in their data processing notifications

  • Goldenring@lemmy.ca
    6·
    1 month ago

    I’m glad I didn’t upload my profile pic. I shut the website down in 2016

  • NewNewAugustEast@lemmy.zip
    2·
    29 days ago

    Why people keep using Linked In is beyond me. It never has been anything more than a data mining operation with people gladly giving them all their real details.

    Remember when Linked IN became the man in the middle of your emails? It would read them and send email to your contacts list.

    Microsoft has said after they purchased them that they were only in it for the data. This is no secret.

    I will not hire people who put linked in on their resumes, as I have to assume they are just stupid.