Last updated on October 6th, 2015 at 03:25 pm
LinkedIn recently settled a lawsuit over a feature on its site that sent too many emails to members without their agreement. The 2013 lawsuit reached a settlement whereby LinkedIn would pay $13 million to both the members filing the suit and current members.
On any LinkedIn page, the social network offers a tool called Add Connections in the menu bar, found under Connections. That page opens up to ask if you’d like to let LinkedIn access your email contact list, or your social networks, to help you find new people to follow. If you select our email contact list, you will be asked to agree to LinkedIn sending an initial email inviting the contact to connect. But the problem is that members weren’t aware that up to two reminder emails would be also be sent to the contact.
As part of the settlement, LinkedIn must tell members that two email reminders may be sent to each requested connection.
If you were signed up for LinkedIn between Sept. 17, 2011 and Oct. 31, 2014 and used the “Add Connections” feature, you may be able to file a claim to receive settlement funds.
The law firm representing the filing members set up a site for LinkedIn members to submit a claim.
Quartz reports that if enough users submit claims, the company will add another $750,000 to the claims pot.
It’s been a busy time for LinkedIn’s lawyers. In June, the network had to pay approximately 800,000 of its users $1.25 million-or $1 each-to settle a class-action lawsuit that claimed LinkedIn failed to protect the passwords and information of its premium subscribers between March 2006 and June 2012.
Photo via Flickr, Creative Commons license
