Microsoft's LinkedIn is scanning installed browser extensions without user permission

Researchers have determined that Microsoft's LinkedIn is scanning browser plug-ins and other information without permission, building user profiles using data that the company did not get permission to take.


A European advocacy group claims LinkedIn is probing browser extensions through its website code. Fairlinked e.V. published its "BrowserGate" report alleging LinkedIn detects installed browser extensions by probing for known identifiers through JavaScript. The group says the technique reveals personally identifiable information.

Safari users are less likely to be affected by this specific mechanism, based on how extension detection typically works across browsers. Apple's browser model limits fingerprinting surfaces, which reduces how much information sites can infer from installed extensions.


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