Leaders.com
  • Business
  • Leadership
  • Wealth
  • Master Classes
  • Business
    • Entrepreneurs
    • Executives
    • Marketing and Sales
    • Social Media
    • Innovation
    • Women in Business
  • Leadership
    • Personal Growth
    • Company Culture
    • Public Speaking
    • Productivity
    • Hiring
    • Social Issues
    • Leaders
  • Wealth
    • Investing
    • Cryptocurrency
    • Retirement
    • Venture Capital
    • Loans and Borrowing
    • Taxes
    • Markets
    • Real Estate
  • Master Classes
Social Media LinkedIn

A LinkedIn study is causing concerns about data abuse (Photo Illustration by Avishek Das/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)

By Tyler Hummel Leaders Staff

Tyler Hummel

Tyler Hummel

Tyler Hummel is a news writer for Leaders Media. He was the Fall 2021 College Fix Fellow and Health Care...

Full bio


Learn about our editorial policy

Sep 29, 2022

When a Data Study Gets Public 

A new social-media study by LinkedIn is raising concerns about data abuse—but might be straight-up customer research. 

Key Details

  • A study conducted by LinkedIn, Harvard Business School, Stanford University, and MIT used data collected by the social-media platform between 2015 through 2019 from 20 million users. 
  • A causal test of the strength of weak ties studied how the site’s algorithm for suggesting new connections, to explore how recommending less-intimate acquaintances, can improve job mobility. 
  • “The authors analyzed data from multiple large-scale randomized experiments on LinkedIn’s People You May Know algorithm, which recommends new connections to LinkedIn members, to test the extent to which weak ties increased job mobility in the world’s largest professional social network,” reports the study.  
  • “There are weak ties, like friends of friends, and strong ties, like immediate colleagues. [This] research posits it’s those weak ties that can lead you to better job opportunities not found in your strong ties network,” says USA Today. 
  • The study shows positive results for the theory but the undisclosed nature of the experiments has users concerned about data abuse. 
  • “Some critics are claiming that LinkedIn gave some users a leg up while leaving others to languish—carefully improving their product but carelessly playing with people’s livelihoods,” says The Washington Post. 

Why it’s news

The data collected by the study is quite useful for scientific purposes. It confirms the theory that social networks can help provide greater job mobility by recommending connections outside of immediate networks and friend groups. 

“The findings help us understand how platform algorithms affect employment opportunities and outcomes and help LinkedIn design their platform to more effectively help its members find jobs and achieve social and economic mobility,” says study author Sinan Aral.

The potential for abuse creates concerns. LinkedIn’s actions aren’t illegal—as they are allowed to use data within their terms of service. 

As we reported yesterday, many major companies like Amazon have faced similar criticism for their implementation of stringent algorithmic software that creates concerns about how it can be ethically used. Major social media networks like Facebook and TikTok have faced widespread accusations and criticism for their abusive data mining practices. 

Notable quote

“The aphorism declaring us these sites’ product comes from the basics of online advertising: Facebook is ‘free’ only because the platform markets users’ attention to businesses trying to sell us stuff. As long as sites are aiming to win from us something as wrapped up in our minds as attention, we’re going to continue to feel like test subjects, too. Either this is all a moral disaster, or it’s exactly what we signed up for,” says The Washington Post. 

Home / News / When a Data Study Gets Public 
Share
FacebookTweetEmailLinkedIn

Related Stories

Seattle Takes The Crown For Advanced Tech Talent

by PJ Howland Leaders Staff
Tech

Oct 24, 2023

Seattle tech talent

Seattle has emerged as the metro area with the most advanced tech talent, beating out tech hubs like San Francisco and Silicon Valley.

Key Details

  • According to a new ranking by the Burning Glass Institute, Seattle has the highest proportion of advanced tech workers compared to other cities with similarly sized tech workforces.
  • The ranking evaluated 60 million high-paying, in-demand tech job postings and histories to identify cities with cutting-edge roles like AI and cybersecurity rather than legacy tech positions.
  • With tech giants Amazon and Microsoft headquartered in Seattle, the city edged out the San Francisco Bay Area, Boston, Austin, and Raleigh on the list.
  • The report found that demand for software developers and IT support specialists has declined over the past five years as companies seek more specialized tech talent.

Go deeper

FacebookTweetEmailLinkedIn

More Americans Can’t Keep Up With Car Payments

by Colin Baker Leaders Staff
Loans and Borrowing

Oct 23, 2023

car loans, used cars

A record number of Americans are behind on their car loan payments as higher interest rates and prices weigh on consumers.

Key Details

  • According to data from Fitch Ratings, 6.11% of car loans were at least 60 days delinquent in September, the highest since tracking began in the early 2000s.
  • Some interest rates on used cars can rise to as much as 21%, according to Bankrate.
  • Soaring prices and rising interest rates are squeezing consumers, making it difficult for some to keep up with their auto loans.

Go deeper

FacebookTweetEmailLinkedIn

Chevron Makes $53 Billion Deal Amid Surging Gas Prices

by PJ Howland Leaders Staff
Markets

Oct 23, 2023

Chevron Gas Deal

Chevron is acquiring Hess Corp. for $53 billion, the second significant oil producer acquisition this month as crude prices climb.

Key Details

  • Chevron is purchasing Hess in an all-cash deal worth $53 billion, including debt and preferred stock redemption.
  • This comes just weeks after ExxonMobil announced its $59.5 billion purchase of Pioneer Natural Resources.
  • With oil over $80 per barrel, major producers are using their windfall profits to acquire smaller players and boost payouts to shareholders.
  • Chevron expects the deal to close in H1 2023 pending regulatory approvals and Hess shareholder vote.
  • Hess CEO John Hess will join Chevron's board once the acquisition is complete.

Go deeper

FacebookTweetEmailLinkedIn
nike logo
Company Culture

Oct 20, 2023

Nike to Require More In-Office Days From Employees

by Colin Baker Leaders Staff
blue collar workers
Retirement

Oct 20, 2023

Explaining The ‘C+ Grade’ Retirement Ecosystem in The United States

by PJ Howland Leaders Staff
netflix building
Entertainment

Oct 19, 2023

Netflix Hiking Prices While Adding Millions of Subscribers

by Colin Baker Leaders Staff

Recent Articles

Hiring

Nov 1, 2023

Learn the Winning Answers to the Most Common Phone Interview Questions

Come to your next phone interview fully prepared

Personal Growth

Oct 30, 2023

85 Quotes on Self-Love to Boost Your Self-Esteem

Don’t fall into the trap of harsh self-criticism

Company Culture

Oct 27, 2023

What is a Sabbatical? Your Ticket to Restful Growth and Meaning

Sabbaticals can benefits both employees and businesses

  • Business
  • Leadership
  • Wealth
Join the Leaders Community

Get exclusive tools and resources you need to grow as a leader and scale a purpose-driven business.

Subscribing indicates your consent to our Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy

Leaders.com
  • Privacy Policy
  • About
  • Careers
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms
  • Disclosures
  • Editorial Policy
  • Member Login

© 2025 Leaders.com - All rights reserved.

Search Leaders.com