81Trust
Likely Accurate
🔍 Web Verified🔍 Search Verified
Ben WerdmulleronMastodon4d ago
LinkedIn is using invasive techniques to fingerprint your browser. Together with its understanding of your identity and professional history, it has the ingredients for an incredibly detailed profile. #Technology https://werd.io/linkedin-is-illegally-searching-your-computer/
Trust Metrics
93
78
65
80
Claim Accuracy93%
Source Quality78%
Framing & Tone65%
Context80%
Analysis Summary
The core claim checks out — LinkedIn is doing invasive browser fingerprinting, and it does collect extension data plus other identifiers. The post's own article acknowledges the 'installed software' phrasing is hyperbolic (it's really checking extensions, not scanning your whole computer). The legal claim that this is illegal in the EU is contested — GDPR may apply, but there's no confirmed court ruling or enforcement here. Overall this is solid tech criticism grounded in real security research, though the headline overstates what's happening.
Claims Analysis (6)
“LinkedIn is using invasive techniques to fingerprint your browser”
Browser fingerprinting via extension detection is well-documented security research. LinkedIn's specific implementation confirmed by cybersecurity researchers.
“LinkedIn checks for over six thousand extensions with specific 'tells'”
The scale and method are consistent with reported fingerprinting techniques, though exact numbers vary by source and update frequency.
“LinkedIn collects screen size, CPU type, battery level as part of fingerprinting”
These are standard fingerprinting vectors widely documented in security literature. LinkedIn's implementation includes these data points.
“LinkedIn checks if 'Do Not Track' is switched on but tracks you regardless”
This is consistent with reported behavior. DNT signals have no legal weight; most sites ignore them while some include the setting in fingerprints.
“This scanning is illegal in the EU”
GDPR and ePrivacy Directive may apply, but legal status is disputed. No confirmed enforcement action or court ruling cited in post.
“Firefox and Zen Browser block these kinds of fingerprinting attacks”
Firefox has stronger fingerprinting protections. Zen's claims depend on its specific implementation details, which vary.
⚠ Flags (1)
📰 Misleading Headline
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