“`html
LinkedIn is encountering escalating demands to suspend the profile of Sam Wall, a 55-year-old digital marketing strategist from Cheadle, who was imprisoned for 28 months on Friday after admitting to stalking, harassment, and malevolent communication.
Despite her conviction and a court-ordered restraining directive, Wall’s LinkedIn Premium profile — boasting nearly 27,000 followers — remained active at the time of writing.
The Crown Court in Preston was informed that Wall’s “extended, intentional and calculated” campaign was aimed at motivational speaker Brad Burton and tech entrepreneur Naomi Timperley (depicted outside Preston Crown Court).
Judge Usher addressed Wall: “Your name has become synonymous with online harassment.”
Both victims, who were present in court for the sentencing, have criticized LinkedIn’s inaction, alleging the platform failed to shield users from harassment even post-conviction.
Brad Burton, a business mentor and author with a substantial online following, commented on LinkedIn shortly after the hearing: “LinkedIn management, be ashamed. Disgraceful. This situation could have culminated in a tragic consequence. Act, before you have to take action.”
Despite Burton’s public entreaties, Wall’s LinkedIn and private Instagram account (with over 4,500 followers) remained operational over the weekend, inciting fury from the professional networking site’s users.
Hundreds of users have rallied for LinkedIn to eliminate Wall’s account, with many denouncing the platform’s apparent hesitancy to enforce its own harassment regulations.
Megan Codling, PR and marketing advisor, queried: “What is LinkedIn doing about this?”
Caroline England, tech entrepreneur and founder of Featherbed Tales, remarked: “LinkedIn, why have you not deleted this account despite multiple requests and a conviction?”
Julian Wellings, video producer, stated: “I remain astounded that the platform has not acted. They must improve.”
Other LinkedIn users described the scenario as “shameful” and urged LinkedIn and its parent company Microsoft to issue an immediate statement.
Corporate photographer Arwyn Bailey expressed: “You claim to take bullying and harassment seriously. Now is the time to act. You have allowed one individual to ruin lives — the ripple effect on families and businesses is immeasurable.”
Burton has since reported additional instances of harassment on the platform, asserting that another LinkedIn user – Jackie Robinson – had commenced continuing Wall’s campaign less than 24 hours after her sentencing.
In a comprehensive post shared on Monday, he stated that evidence had been submitted to Lancashire Police and LinkedIn’s safety team, and that his legal representatives and local MP Gideon Amos OBE had been informed.
“If we can’t address this sensibly today,” Burton articulated, “this case illustrates how insidiously biased this platform is for a normal individual facing a campaign of legally validated falsehoods.
I would prefer to devote my Monday to recovery, not battling — yet again.”
He shared links to further posts and videos alleging ongoing stalking behavior under the hashtag #Gangstalking.
The case has reignited apprehensions regarding LinkedIn’s moderation policies and its response to harassment on what is frequently seen as the most “professional” of social networks.
While Meta, X (formerly Twitter), and TikTok have encountered widespread criticism for their handling of abuse and misinformation, LinkedIn has largely avoided similar controversies — until now.
Business Matters has contacted LinkedIn for a statement.
Source link
“`
