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LinkedIn Hit With €310 Million Fine By European Watchdog

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The Irish Data Protection Commission (DPC) has fined LinkedIn the sum of €310 million, for violating data protection law.

This is following an inquiry into the platform’s handling of personal data for behavioral analysis used for targeted advertising.

The DPC, acting as LinkedIn’s lead supervisory authority under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), launched the investigation after receiving a complaint from the French Data Protection Authority.

The decision, made by Data Protection Commissioners Dr. Des Hogan and Dale Sunderland and finalized on October 22, 2024, highlights serious breaches of GDPR concerning the lawfulness, fairness, and transparency of LinkedIn’s data processing practices.

In addition to the substantial fine, LinkedIn has been ordered to bring its data processing activities into compliance with GDPR standards.

In a statement issued by DPC on Thursday, the regulator said its inquiry found that LinkedIn failed to obtain valid consent from users for the processing of their personal data for behavioral analysis and targeted advertising, thereby violating Article 6(1)(a) of the GDPR.

It added that the consent obtained was neither freely given nor sufficiently informed or specific, violating the fundamental rights of users.

In violation of Article 6(1)(f) of the GDPR which bothers on legitimate interests, the DPC said LinkedIn unlawfully processed members’ data for advertising purposes, claiming it was for legitimate interests.

However, LinkedIn’s interests were overridden by the fundamental rights of its users, rendering the processing illegal.

According to the regulator, LinkedIn improperly relied on the provision of Article 6(1)(b) of the GDPR on contractual necessity to justify the processing of members’ data for behavioral analysis, which the DPC determined was not necessary for fulfilling user contracts.

The DPC said it also found LinkedIn in violation of Articles 13(1)(c) and 14(1)(c) for not providing clear information to users about the legal bases it relied on for data processing.

Graham Doyle, Deputy Commissioner of the DPC, emphasized the importance of lawful data processing in safeguarding user rights stating:

“The lawfulness of processing is a fundamental aspect of data protection law, and the processing of personal data without an appropriate legal basis is a clear and serious violation of a data subject’s fundamental right to data protection.”

As part of the ruling, LinkedIn has been instructed to reform its data processing practices to ensure compliance with GDPR requirements.

 

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Business

Crashed Helicopter’s Black Box Recovered, 3 Still Missing

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The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has recovered the “black box” the Flight Data Recorder (FDR) and Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) of the ill-fated helicopter that crashed into the Atlantic Ocean while conveying workers of the Nigerian National Petroleum Limited from Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

 

The development was announced in a press statement released by the agency on Fiday which was signed by Mrs Bimbo Olawumi Oladeji, NSIB Public Affairs and Family Assistance.

 

The fatal crash had occurred near Bonny Finima, off the coast of Port Harcourt.

Eight persons (six passengers and two crew members) were confirmed to be on board the aircraft when the tragedy happened.

 

The Flight Data Recorder (FDR) and Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) from the Sikorsky SK76 helicopter that ditched off Bonny Finima on 24 October were recovered by search teams.

 

Oladeji noted the collaborative efforts of NNPC, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), the Nigerian Navy, and HydroDive in the search.

 

The statement reads: “NSIB, in conjunction with the Search and Recovery partners NNPC, NIMASA, the Nigerian Navy, and HydroDive, has recovered the Flight Data Recorder (FDR) and Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) from the Sikorsky SK76 helicopter, registration 5N BQG, which ditched in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Bonny Finima on October 24, 2024.”

 

The helicopter, operated by Eastwind Aviation, was transporting eight passengers at the time of the accident.

 

“Since the accident, NSIB and its Search and Recovery partners have coordinated a search and recovery effort in collaboration with local and international partners to locate and retrieve the bodies of the deceased and the critical components necessary for a comprehensive investigation.

 

“The FDR and CVR, commonly referred to as the aircraft’s “black box,” was retrieved early this morning. This device is crucial in helping investigators analyse flight performance and cockpit communications to determine the sequence of events leading up to the accident.

 

“The recovered recorder has been secured for transport to NSIB’s data analysis lab. It will undergo data extraction and analysis by NSIB’s specialists to gain insights into the operational and technical conditions preceding the accident and to help determine the cause of the accident.

 

“As of today, three individuals remain unaccounted for, and long-term search efforts continue in coordination with local and international partners. NSIB Director General Captain Alex Badeh Jr. commended the recovery teams and stressed the importance of the investigation:

 

“The recovery of the Flight Data Recorder and Cockpit Voice Recorder marks a monumental step in understanding what led to this tragic accident. The black box holds vital information that will provide invaluable insight into the sequence of events leading up to the accident, which will help us determine the cause and inform any necessary safety recommendations.

 

“While our thoughts are with the families of those still unaccounted for, concerted efforts are being made to find the missing individuals and provide answers to the families affected by this accident.”

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Over 1 Million Fuel Stations On Way Out

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Fuel consumption has plummet across the nation amid skyrocketing pump price, creating a lull in business and the possibility of over a million fuel stations across the country, being at the brink of closing stations.

With oil marketers voicing alarm over severe losses, no less thanly 10,000 oil dealers are already facing imminent closure.

There are indications that many Nigerians will soon tip the Compress Natural Gas (CNG) for the Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), as the popularity of latter begins to wane drastically, ostensibly, due to lingering harrowing task of sourcing fuel by marketers.

The present administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has embraced the use of CNG as lee-way to cushion the effect of fuel subsidy in Nigeria, as announced by government on May 29, 2023.

In August 2023, the Federal Government had set up the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative (PCNGI), headed by Michael Oluwagbemi, to give vent to the use of CNG in Nigeria, by setting up conversion centers for non-compliant vehicles while boosting adoption of gas among motorists

According to data from the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, fuel consumption plummeted to 4.5 million litres per day in August 2024, a staggering decrease from 60 million litres per day in May 2023

The situation represents a dramatic 92 percent drop, suggesting a sharp downward slope in demand in the wake of the rising demand for the CNG.

The data further reveals that only 16 out of 36 states received fuel from the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited in August, resulting in widespread shortage

Since President Bola Tinubu announced the removal of the fuel subsidy in May 2023, petrol prices have skyrocketed by approximately 488 percent, climbing from N175 to over N1,000.

These relentless price increases have placed immense strain on the economy, hiking transport costs and exacerbating inflation, as struggling Nigerians voice their frustrations over the escalating hardships.

The situation has compelled many motorists to forsake their vehicles in favor of public transportation.

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NCAA to Airlines: Pay for Lost Luggage

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The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has decided to reinforce regulations requiring airlines to compensate passengers for lost luggage, setting the compensation at N10,000 for domestic flights and $170 for international flights.

NCAA’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Michael Achimugu, outlined the entitlements that can be claimed by passengers, during a press conference held in Abuja highlighting efforts to improve consumer rights awareness in the aviation sector.

Mr Achimugu noted that NCAA regulations also stipulate that passengers affected by luggage delays are eligible for “first needs” compensation.

This includes a payment of N10,000 for domestic flights and $170 for international flights while the airline conducts its search for the missing luggage.

The Director elaborated on the timelines for recovering luggage, explaining that airlines have between one to seven days to locate a missing bag on domestic flights, while international flights allow up to 21 days for the search process.

“A luggage is said to be lost if not found after seven days search on domestic flights and 21 days search on international flights,” he noted.

Once the luggage is declared missing, the process for compensation commences, “The process for compensation for missing luggage commences after the said luggage is declared missing. Any fees paid for that luggage must also be refunded,” he said

He continued by saying that in the case of flight cancellations or significant delays, passengers are entitled to prompt ticket refunds. For payments made in cash, the refund should be issued immediately.

The authority is addressing these issues through passenger education initiatives, regulatory improvements, and infrastructure development.

Egua highlighted the benefits of informed passengers: “By knowing your rights as a consumer, you can advocate for better treatment and services in Nigeria’s aviation sector,” he stated, emphasizing that passengers play a role in holding airlines accountable.

Mrs. Ifueko Abdulmalik, Senior Special Adviser to the NCAA Acting Director General, stressed the obligations airlines must fulfill to ensure passenger satisfaction and safety.

Abdulmalik outlined that airlines are required to clearly communicate terms and conditions, maintain precise flight schedules, and provide efficient baggage handling to minimize issues related to delays, cancellations, and overbooking.

Additionally, she pointed out that passengers have a right to full transparency regarding flight schedules, fares, baggage allowances, and compensations.

“Passengers have rights to know flight schedule, fare, and baggage allowance; right to compensation for flight delays; right to refund for unused tickets (within 7 days) and right to baggage protection,” she noted.

Abdulmalik highlighted that common passenger concerns include “flight delays and cancellations, baggage loss, damage, or delay, overbooking and denied boarding, refund and compensation disputes,” urging passengers to familiarize themselves with these rights to better advocate for fair treatment.

However, for refunds processed through bank transfers or other electronic means, the NCAA allows up to 14 days for the funds to be returned to the passenger.

Achimugu emphasized that refunds via means other than cash must be made within 14 days. However, some delay might be experienced from submission of required documents for the passenger.

The NCAA urges airlines to adhere strictly to these refund protocols to uphold passenger rights within the aviation industry.

 

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