Following LinkedIn's disastrous password hack earlier this June, the professional networking site is now being sued over a "clear contradiction of accepted industry standards for database security.”


The suit was filed by Katie Szpyrka, a LinkedIn user from Illinois, USA, who insists she is working on behalf of fellow Premium LinkedIn members who had an account with the network on the 6th June 2012. Szpryrka claims that LinkedIn failed "to comply with long-standing industry standard encryption protocols."

The troubles began for LinkedIn when a Russian hacker, known as 'dwdm', posted the cache of 6.5 million LinkedIn passwords on hacking messageboards in early June to prove he cracked a vulnerability on the site, revealing outdated encryption software - which has led to widespread criticism, and now a legal battle.

The episode has seriously damaged the network's brand - though around 100 million users are still active on the site.

LinkedIn spokeswoman Erin O’Harra told Reuters :

"A class action lawsuit has been filed against LinkedIn related to the theft of hashed LinkedIn member passwords that were published on an unauthorized website," a statement said.

"We don't believe any member account has been compromised as a result of the password theft, and we have no reason to believe that any LinkedIn member has been injured," the statement added.

"Therefore, it appears that these threats are driven by lawyers looking to take advantage of the situation."

LinkedIn concluded: "We believe these claims are without merit, and we will defend the company vigorously against suits trying to leverage third-party criminal behaviour."