LONDON — On Thursday, European Union regulators imposed a hefty fine of 310 million euros (approximately $335 million) on LinkedIn due to violations of the EU’s rigorous data privacy regulations.

The Data Protection Commission of Ireland issued the penalty after expressing concerns about the “lawfulness, fairness, and transparency” surrounding LinkedIn’s handling of personal data for advertising.

Because LinkedIn’s European operations are headquartered in Dublin, the Irish agency acts as the primary privacy regulator for the company across the EU’s 27-member states.

Following an investigation, the watchdog concluded that LinkedIn lacked a legal basis for collecting user data aimed at targeting advertisements, which constitutes a violation of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). The commission has directed LinkedIn to adhere to these regulations.

Deputy Commissioner Graham Doyle emphasized in a statement that processing personal data “without an appropriate legal basis is a clear and serious violation” of the EU’s data protection rights.

In response to the ruling, LinkedIn stated that it believes it has adhered to the regulations, yet the company is actively working to adjust its advertising practices to align with the requirements set forth by the commission.