As of August 2023, we offer a [Beta] Researcher Access Program in order to meet our legal requirements under the European Union’s Digital Services Act (DSA). Specifically, Article 40(12) of the DSA requires that we make available to qualified researchers, upon application, data that is publicly accessible on LinkedIn, so long as the following conditions are satisfied:

• Researchers must be independent from commercial interests.
• The researcher’s application must disclose the funding of the research.
• The researcher must be capable of fulfilling specific data security and confidentiality requirements corresponding to each request and to protect personal data; and the researcher must describe in the application the appropriate technical and organisational measures that have been put in place to this end.
• The application must demonstrate that the access to the data and the time frames requested are necessary for, and proportionate to, the purposes of their research.
• The expected results of the proposed research must contribute to the detection, identification and understanding of systemic risks in the European Union, as follows: 
  • The dissemination of illegal content through the services.
  • Any actual or foreseeable negative effects for the exercise fundamental rights, in particular the fundamental rights of human dignity enshrined in Article 1 of the Charter; respect for private and family life enshrined in Article 7 of the Charter, to the protection of personal data enshrined in Article 8 of the Charter; freedom of expression and information, including the freedom and pluralism of the media, enshrined in Article 11 of the Charter; non-discrimination enshrined in Article 21 of the Charter; respect for the rights of the child enshrined in Article 24 of the Charter; and a high-level of consumer protection enshrined in Article 38 of the Charter.
  • Any actual or foreseeable negative effects on civic discourse and electoral processes, and public security.
  • Any actual or foreseeable negative effects in relation to gender-based violence, the protection of public health and minors, and serious negative consequences to the person’s physical and mental well-being

If you are a researcher interested in conducting this research, please fill out this application form. We will treat any personal data included as part of an application in accordance with our Privacy Policy. Any information that you submit as part of the application will not be treated as confidential information by LinkedIn or its affiliates. Even if you are selected for research access, you acknowledge and agree that LinkedIn, its affiliates, or other researchers are free to conduct research on the same or similar topics.

How it works: 

• Fill out the application form and submit it in accordance with the instructions on the form.
• We will review the applications to access public data under the criteria set forth in Article 40(12) of the DSA. We may contact you for additional information necessary for us to assess your application.
• We will notify you using the contact information you provide if you are selected. 
• Selected researchers will be asked to enter into terms governing their access to the public data (and/or use of APIs (as applicable) for the purpose of the approved research, including terms related to the security and legal use of personal data that may be made available to you under General Data Protection Regulation.

At this time, we are not yet supporting requests for other research projects related to our public data. Please note, that we do allow certain researcher access to information regarding ads served on the LinkedIn services. For more information, please see here.