- Twitter security personnel prevented Elon Musk from breaching the company’s privacy agreement with the US government by restricting access to company documents granted to third-party individuals.
- Concerns about potential violations of the 2022 settlement with the FTC arose after Musk granted access to journalists, prompting resignations of key privacy and security executives at Twitter.
- Despite no immediate violation found, the FTC remains vigilant and continues efforts to depose Musk, indicating potential future legal action against his social network for breaches of the settlement or US law.
According to the Federal Trade Commission Chair Lina Khan, Twitter’s security personnel prevented Elon Musk from breaching the company’s privacy agreement with the US government.
Following Musk’s acquisition of Twitter in late 2022, concerns arose when he granted access to company documents, dubbed the “Twitter Files,” to journalists like Bari Weiss. This action raised alarms regarding potential violations of a 2022 settlement with the FTC aimed at preventing security lapses.
Several key privacy and security executives at Twitter resigned shortly after Musk’s takeover, citing fears that his rapid changes could lead to breaches of the settlement terms.
In a letter to US Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), Khan revealed that FTC staff had deposed former Twitter employees and discovered that the access granted to third-party individuals was more restricted than initially thought. The employees resisted Musk’s instructions to provide unrestricted access, implementing safeguards to mitigate risks of exposing private user information.
Jordan, who chairs the House Judiciary Committee, criticized the FTC’s investigation, alleging harassment of Twitter post-Musk’s acquisition. Khan defended the investigation, emphasizing the FTC’s duty to address concerns arising from actions potentially violating the settlement.
Despite no evident violation in this instance, the FTC remains vigilant, indicating possible future legal action against Musk’s social network for any breaches of the settlement or US law.
Efforts to depose Musk continue, with the FTC seeking further clarification regarding Musk’s role in ensuring compliance with the settlement terms. Musk’s company, X Corp., previously attempted to terminate the settlement, but the court rejected the request, citing concerns about compliance within the company.
