Professional social network LinkedIn this week updated its user privacy policy, making a few changes to the documents and adding new features.
LinkedIn says on its Web site that the changes provide more detail and clarification on its collection and use of personal data so that its users may have a clearer understanding of how the data they provide to LinkedIn is used.
"We at LinkedIn work hard to gain and retain your trust, and believe our Privacy Policy reflects the reasonable expectations of our users," it says.
Director at WebTechLaw Paul Jacobson says people are generally aware of privacy policies, but rarely click on them or take the time to read through them. "As a user, you are bound by the user agreement and privacy policy and the consents given as described in those documents."
Breaking it down
Jacobson has dissected the changes to the privacy policy, and in terms of aesthetics, he says the new layout and icons bring more clarity to the policy. "Although the icons in the LinkedIn privacy policy don't go in quite the same direction or as far as the Mozilla-originated Privacy Icons project, they are helpful in ascertaining, at a glance, what the various sections are about."
Jacobson says some of the clauses in the privacy policy are entirely new and come with their own set of complications, like the LinkedIn Contacts app, which combines contacts on a user's device with interactions on LinkedIn. "This functionality introduces an interesting challenge, especially given LinkedIn's professional focus. Users can add their contacts' contact details and that information potentially has considerable value. Imagine the value of, say, Richard Branson's mobile number if you are fortunate to have it?"
When it comes to submitting information to LinkedIn, Jacobson says it requires users to take responsibility for what exactly it is they are submitting. "Bearing in mind that LinkedIn has extended its platform to third-party Web sites and services in a manner that is not all that different to Facebook's Platform extensions. Although Facebook seems to have taken more care to give its users options for removing information they submit to Facebook."
He adds that sharing sensitive information with LinkedIn can have problematic consequences. "This is especially important bearing in mind LinkedIn's indemnification clause in the user agreement."
The clause in the agreement states as follows:
"You agree to indemnify us and hold us harmless for all damages, losses and costs (including, but not limited to, reasonable attorneys' fees and costs) related to all third-party claims, charges, and investigations, caused by (1) your failure to comply with this agreement, including, without limitation, your submission of content that violates third-party rights or applicable laws, (2) any content you submit to the services, and (3) any activity in which you engage on or through LinkedIn."
Opting out
Jacobson warns that the devil is in the detail, and although LinkedIn references the ability for users to close their accounts and remove their data from the service repeatedly, it may not be quite so simple. "LinkedIn reserves the right to retain data after you have closed your account. This is not unusual but you should factor this into your planning when you share information."
He adds that the policy operates on the basis of consents users give to LinkedIn through the privacy policy itself. "It is your responsibility to read the user agreement and privacy policy carefully and make sure you both understand the documents and are comfortable that your intended use of the service falls within the scope of that governing contractual framework and your comfort levels."
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