LinkedIn has become the latest social networking site to decide that new features can be added and switched on by default, and users don’t have to be notified.

The new feature — hidden in the “Manage Social Advertising” option — allows LinkedIn to use profile information like names and photos in third-party advertising. It has to be switched off through a user’s account settings. Permission for this is tucked away in a new condition in LinkedIn’s Terms of Use as an opt-out feature.

Radio Netherlands Worldwide reports that the new profile setting may breach Dutch privacy law. The Dutch Data Projection Authority (DPA) says LinkedIn members’ photographs can be used in advertising material only with the users’ explicit consent.

The Dutch view is in line with the laws of the EU Data Protection Working Party: LinkedIn failed to properly notify users of the change.

See this WebProNews article for how to opt out from this feature. – Ed