Provision record
LinkedIn · LinkedIn Advertising Policies · View original document ↗

Sensitive Data Targeting Prohibition

High severity Medium confidence Explicit document language Common · 148 of 352 platforms
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Document Record

What it is

The policy prohibits advertisers from targeting LinkedIn members using sensitive data categories including health data, consumer health data, genetic data, biometric data, racial or ethnic origin, political affiliation, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, criminal record, trade union membership, and income. The prohibition applies to direct targeting on these attributes and extends to any categories defined as sensitive under applicable law.

This analysis describes what LinkedIn's agreement states, permits, or reserves. It does not constitute a legal determination about enforceability. Regulatory applicability and practical outcomes may vary by jurisdiction, enforcement context, and individual circumstances. Read our methodology

ConductAtlas Analysis

Why it matters (compliance & governance perspective)

This provision requires advertisers to audit any audience segments, custom audiences, or third-party data sets used in LinkedIn campaigns to confirm they do not incorporate these prohibited categories. Because the prohibition extends to categories as defined by applicable law, the operational scope may vary across jurisdictions, including GDPR special categories in the EU and state-level sensitive data definitions in the US.

Interpretive note: The provision extends to categories defined by applicable law, which creates jurisdiction-dependent scope that cannot be fully determined from the document alone.

Clause Stability Stable

0
Changes
3
Months Monitored
May 21, 2026
First Seen
May 22, 2026
Last Seen
This clause type exists across 371 other provisions on other platforms.

Consumer impact (what this means for users)

This provision establishes that LinkedIn members cannot be targeted by advertisers based on health information, biometric or genetic data, racial or ethnic origin, sexual orientation, income, or other enumerated sensitive categories. The agreement requires advertisers to comply with this restriction as a condition of platform access.

How other platforms handle this

Glassdoor Medium

If you enable location data for the mobile version of our services...we may use your location data to serve you geo-targeted ads for employers and other advertisers that are local to you.

Mercury Medium

we may share, or permit third party online advertising networks and other third-party services, to collect, information about your use of our Services over time so that they may display ads that may be relevant to your interests...

Hilton Medium

Allow us and other advertisers to show you the most relevant products, offers, and advertisements on the site and third-party sites, or through emails or other message platforms.

See all platforms with this clause type →
▸ View Original Clause Language DOCUMENT RECORD
"
Ads must not target based on sensitive data or categories, including political affiliation or opinions, racial or ethnic origin, data concerning health (including medical information and consumer health data), genetic data, biometric data, religious or philosophical affiliation or beliefs, data relating to a criminal record or alleged or actual commission of a crime, sexual behavior or orientation, trade union membership, or income, or as otherwise defined by applicable law.

Excerpt from LinkedIn's Advertising Policies

ConductAtlas Analysis

Institutional analysis (regulatory & governance intelligence)

REGULATORY LANDSCAPE: This provision directly engages GDPR Article 9 special categories of personal data (health, biometric, genetic, racial or ethnic origin, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, trade union membership) and extends to consumer health data as …

Insight

Unlock the full institutional analysis

Enforcement risk, jurisdiction flags, contract triggers, and due diligence action items.

Applicable agencies

  • Federal Trade Commission (ftc)
    Oversees unfair or deceptive business practices and can investigate companies that mislead consumers about data collection, sharing, or use.
    Who can file: Anyone affected by the company's practices (US or international)
    What you need: Your account details, a timeline of relevant events, and a description of the specific issue
    What to expect: Complaints inform FTC enforcement priorities and investigations but do not result in individual resolution or compensation
    File a complaint →
  • State Attorney General
    State AGs in California, New York, Texas, and other states can investigate violations of state consumer protection and privacy laws, including CCPA (California), SHIELD Act (New York), and equivalents.
    Who can file: Residents of states with comprehensive privacy laws — primarily California, Virginia, Colorado, Connecticut, and Utah
    What you need: Evidence of the violation, explanation of how your state rights were affected, and your account or contact information with the company
    What to expect: Outcomes vary by state. May result in investigation, enforcement action, or requirement for the company to change practices. No direct individual compensation in most cases.

    Search "[your state] attorney general consumer complaint" to find your state's direct complaint form

Provision details

Document information
Document
LinkedIn Advertising Policies
Entity
LinkedIn
Document last updated
May 20, 2026
Tracking information
First tracked
May 21, 2026
Last verified
May 21, 2026
Record ID
CA-P-013058
Document ID
CA-D-00862
Evidence Provenance
Source URL
Wayback Machine
Content hash (SHA-256)
21c51274276e80b028def83205b15bf499ab85c4767d687d8e945bdabc8063ef
Analysis generated
May 21, 2026 04:36 UTC
Methodology
Evidence
✓ Snapshot stored   ✓ Hash verified
Citation Record
Entity: LinkedIn
Document: LinkedIn Advertising Policies
Record ID: CA-P-013058
Captured: 2026-05-21 04:36:41 UTC
SHA-256: 21c51274276e80b0…
URL: https://conductatlas.com/platform/linkedin/linkedin-advertising-policies/provision/CA-P-013058/sensitive-data-targeting-prohibition/
Accessed: Sept. 8, 2026
Permanent archival reference. Stable identifier suitable for legal filings, compliance documentation, and research citation.
Classification
Severity
High
Categories

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does LinkedIn's Sensitive Data Targeting Prohibition clause do?

This provision requires advertisers to audit any audience segments, custom audiences, or third-party data sets used in LinkedIn campaigns to confirm they do not incorporate these prohibited categories. Because the prohibition extends to categories as defined by applicable law, the operational scope may vary across jurisdictions, including GDPR special categories in the EU and state-level sensitive data definitions in the …

How does this clause affect you?

This provision establishes that LinkedIn members cannot be targeted by advertisers based on health information, biometric or genetic data, racial or ethnic origin, sexual orientation, income, or other enumerated sensitive categories. The agreement requires advertisers to comply with this restriction as a condition of platform access.

How many platforms have this type of clause?

ConductAtlas has identified this type of provision across 148 platforms. See the full comparison.

Is ConductAtlas affiliated with LinkedIn?

No. ConductAtlas is an independent monitoring service. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by LinkedIn.