German court prohibits LinkedIn from ignoring "Do Not Track" signals (stackdiary.com)

Article summary

A German court has ruled that LinkedIn can no longer ignore 'Do Not Track' signals from users. The court also prohibited LinkedIn from setting defaults that make user profiles visible on other websites and applications. The ruling was made after a lawsuit by the Verbraucherzentrale Bundesverband. The decision may have implications for how companies handle user tracking and data privacy.

Main themes

• Data privacy
• User tracking
• Do Not Track signals
• EU regulations
• Company accountability
• User autonomy

What commenters say

• The 'Do Not Track' signal should be respected by companies regardless of whether it is set by default or by the user.
• The specification for 'Do Not Track' allows companies to ignore the signal if it is set by default, but this may not be upheld in court.
• Companies that ignore 'Do Not Track' signals may be trying to undermine user privacy and autonomy.
• The EU's General Data Protection Regulation requires active and informed consent for data processing, and a 'Do Not Track' signal may be considered a valid form of consent.
• Some argue that if a user gives consent to tracking but also sends a 'Do Not Track' signal, the signal should take precedence.
• Others believe that ambiguous consent, such as a 'Do Not Track' signal sent by default, is not valid consent.
• The effectiveness of 'Do Not Track' signals in protecting user privacy is limited by companies' willingness to ignore them.
• The ruling may set a precedent for how companies handle user tracking and data privacy in the EU.