LinkedIn says it blocked or removed more than 21M fake accounts during first half of 2019

LinkedIn announced this week that it had blocked or removed 21.6 million fake accounts on its platform between January and June of this year. 

The professional networking platform, which has about 645 million users, wrote in a Tuesday blog post that 95 percent of the face accounts were blocked from being created during the registration process and never went live.

Another 2 million fake accounts were restricted by LinkedIn before a user reported them, while 67,000 accounts were taken down after being flagged by users. 

{mosads}LinkedIn emphasized that spotting the fake accounts was possible through using both artificial intelligence and human review, but that artificial intelligence and machine learning defense processes were responsible for taking down or blocking 98 percent of the fake accounts.

“We want to make sure our community continues to be a valuable resource for you; one that creates opportunities to find jobs, make connections and grow careers,” LinkedIn wrote. “When we stop fake accounts, we start more chances for economic opportunity.”

LinkedIn added that “we are committed to using every measure available to maintain your safety, allowing everyone to access economic opportunity while feeling supported and secure.”

The LinkedIn announcement comes on the heels of both Facebook and Twitter taking action this week to remove Chinese-backed accounts attempting to spread disinformation about the ongoing protests in Hong Kong. 

Twitter removed almost 1,000 accounts, while Facebook removed more than a dozen pages, groups and accounts tied to the effort.