Could LinkedIn stop hiQ from scraping public profiles?

hiQ Labs v. LinkedIn

Commercial disputes · US Court of Appeals · Ninth Circuit · No. 17-16783 · Closed

The case, in plain English.

hiQ used automated software to collect—or ‘scrape’—public LinkedIn profiles for workforce analytics. LinkedIn demanded that hiQ stop and blocked its access. hiQ sued, arguing that LinkedIn was unlawfully interfering with its business. The appeal asked whether a temporary court order requiring LinkedIn to allow access should remain in place. On 18 April 2022, the Ninth Circuit upheld that order.

Why it matters

The dispute tested companies’ control over publicly visible web data. This ruling preserved temporary access; it did not finally resolve all claims or make all scraping lawful.

Did the Ninth Circuit affirm the preliminary injunction on remand?

Outcome

Decision: Injunction affirmed

Preliminary injunction affirmed on 18 April 2022. Historical research only; no bets accepted.

This judgment concerns preliminary relief on 18 April 2022, not final liability on every claim.

Official outcome source