LinkedIn 2021 Data Breach
| Company | |
|---|---|
| Breach Date | April 1, 2021 |
| Disclosure Date | June 22, 2021 |
| Records Affected | 700 million |
In 2021, data from 700 million LinkedIn users—over 90% of the platform's user base—was scraped and posted for sale on dark web forums.
What Happened
A hacker exploited LinkedIn's API to scrape public profile data at massive scale. While LinkedIn claimed no private data was exposed, the aggregated dataset included information that many users didn't expect to be easily accessible.
LinkedIn argued this wasn't a "breach" since no systems were compromised, but the data collection violated their terms of service and posed real risks to users.
What Data Was Exposed
- Email addresses
- Full names
- Phone numbers
- Physical addresses
- Geolocation records
- LinkedIn usernames and profile URLs
- Professional history
- Inferred salaries
- Connected social media accounts
Who Is Affected
Approximately 700 million LinkedIn users, representing over 90% of the platform's user base at the time.
How to Check If You Were Affected
If you had a LinkedIn account before June 2021, assume your public profile data was included.What You Should Do Now
- Review your LinkedIn privacy settings
- Limit visible contact information
- Be alert for targeted phishing using your professional info
- Watch for BEC scams impersonating colleagues or recruiters
- Enable two-step verification
Last updated: January 20, 2026
Protect Yourself After a Data Breach
When your data is exposed in a breach, acting fast is critical. Here's how to lock down your identity:
- Get identity theft protection — monitors your credit, SSN, and dark web exposure 24/7
- Set up credit monitoring — catch unauthorized accounts before they damage your score
- Remove your personal info from data brokers — reduce your exposure to future attacks
- Run a free dark web scan — check if your email appears in known breaches