How to Request Your LinkedIn Profile Visitor Data Under EU GDPR – A Step-by-Step Guide

Introduction

If you’re an EU-based LinkedIn user, you may have noticed that the platform’s “Who’s Viewed Your Profile” feature is locked behind a paid subscription. But a legal complaint filed by the digital rights group None of Your Business (NOYB) argues this violates the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), specifically Article 15, which grants individuals the right to access their personal data. NOYB claims LinkedIn’s policy is contradictory: the company withholds visitor data from free users, yet provides it to paying subscribers, effectively monetizing a legal right. This guide walks you through the steps to assert your GDPR rights and formally request your profile visitor data—whether or not you’re a Premium subscriber. By following these steps, you can hold LinkedIn accountable and potentially help shape data privacy practices.

What You Need

• A LinkedIn account (free or premium) – You must be logged in to make a data request.
• Proof of EU residency – GDPR protections apply to individuals in the European Union. Be prepared to provide a billing address or other evidence.
• Access to your registered email – LinkedIn will send confirmation and responses to the email linked to your account.
• A valid Data Subject Access Request (DSAR) template – You can use the form from NOYB or write your own (see tips below).
• Patience – GDPR requests must be answered within one month, but delays can occur.

Steps to Request Your Profile Visitor Data

Step 1: Review the Current LinkedIn Policy

Before making your request, understand what LinkedIn currently offers. Free users can see the last five visitors to their profile (if those users haven’t enabled anonymity). Additionally, all users can toggle off “Visibility when viewing other profiles” in Settings → Visibility → Profile viewing options, which hides their own visits. However, the full list of profile viewers is only accessible to Premium subscribers (starting at €30/month). Note that LinkedIn argues that disclosing full visitor data might violate the privacy of other users, but NOYB counters that if visitors are aware their activity is recorded, they have no reasonable expectation of privacy.

Step 2: Log in to Your LinkedIn Account

Go to LinkedIn.com and sign in with your credentials. Ensure you’re using the email address associated with your account, as all official communications will be sent there. If you have multiple profiles (e.g., personal and company), use the one for which you want visitor data.

Step 3: Locate the Data Access Request Page

LinkedIn provides a dedicated page for requesting your data. Navigate to Settings & Privacy → Data privacy → Get a copy of your data. Alternatively, use this direct link: https://www.linkedin.com/psettings/member-data. On this page, you can select specific categories of data. For profile visitors, look for “Profile visiting history” or “Who’s viewed your profile” (the exact wording may change over time). Select it, or choose “Everything” to gather broader data.

Step 4: Submit a Formal Data Subject Access Request (DSAR)

If the automated download option does not include the full visitor list (as is often the case for free accounts), you must submit a DSAR. Go to LinkedIn’s privacy policy page and find the “Contact us” section. Use the link for “How to exercise your rights.” Then compose an email (or use LinkedIn’s web form) with the following details:

• Your full name and registered email.
• A clear statement: “I am exercising my right of access under Article 15 of the GDPR to obtain a complete list of all individuals who have viewed my LinkedIn profile, including timestamps and usernames.”
• Reference the NOYB complaint (optional but adds legal weight).
• Mention that you are an EU resident and include proof if requested.
• Request a response within the statutory one-month timeframe.

Keep a copy of your request for your records. If LinkedIn refuses, cite GDPR Article 15 and the fact that they provide the same data to paying customers, which negates any privacy argument.

Step 5: Wait for LinkedIn’s Response and Take Action if Denied

LinkedIn must acknowledge your request within 7 days and provide a full response within one month. They may try to redirect you to the automated tool—if so, insist that the tool does not provide the complete data for free users. If they refuse, escalate by filing a complaint with your national data protection authority (DPA). For example, the Austrian DPA (where NOYB filed) has jurisdiction. Alternatively, contact NOYB directly for support. In 2025, similar complaints led to a €325 million fine against Google, so DPAs are increasingly active.

Tips for Success

• Be specific – In your DSAR, explicitly request “the full history of profile visitors including names, profile URLs, and timestamps.” Don’t settle for “anonymous member” data.
• Reference the precedent – Mention that LinkedIn Premium subscribers can see this data, so it cannot be truly private. Use NOYB’s argument: “Either the data must not be accessible to anyone, or—if it is clear to the visitor that the data is visible—it must also be disclosed under Article 15 GDPR.”
• Keep records – Save all emails, screenshots of your request, and any responses from LinkedIn. This helps if you need to escalate.
• Use a template – NOYB provides a sample DSAR on their website. Adapt it for LinkedIn.
• Check your privacy settings first – In Settings → Visibility, ensure “Profile viewing options” is set to “Your name and headline” (not anonymous) to force yourself to appear clearly. This isn’t required, but it strengthens your case that you’re not hiding.
• Consider group action – If you encounter resistance, join NOYB’s campaign or file a class-action complaint. The more users who request data, the stronger the case that LinkedIn’s paywall is illegal.
• Understand the timeline – GDPR gives companies up to one month to respond. If you don’t get a reply, contact your DPA immediately.

By following these steps, you not only claim your right to know who’s been viewing your profile but also contribute to the broader fight against paywalled privacy rights. Remember, the law is on your side—LinkedIn’s profit motive doesn't trump your data access rights.