In a recent court filing on behalf of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the US Department of Justice (DOJ) has raised concerns that Elon Musk, the head of X Corp. (formerly Twitter), may have breached a 2022 FTC order regarding privacy and security practices. The DOJ’s filing urges the judge to reject X Corp.’s plea to terminate a privacy settlement and grant Musk immunity from testifying.
According to a report from Axios, the filing contends that Musk exhibited a high degree of influence over X Corp.’s operations, potentially jeopardizing data privacy and security. It emphasizes Musk’s crucial insights into the company’s current data practices and compliance efforts with the 2022 Administrative Order, deeming X Corp.’s motion as baseless.
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This move marks the latest endeavor by the U.S. government to hold X Corp., previously Twitter, accountable for a longstanding privacy agreement. Last year, Twitter paid a hefty $150 million fine for violating a 2011 consent decree, preceding Musk’s assumption of control in October. Subsequently, several security and privacy team members departed, citing apprehensions about actions that might breach the decree. In March, Twitter sought court intervention to terminate the consent decree.
The filing highlights revelations from recent depositions, shedding light on a turbulent environment within the company. It raises significant questions about Musk and other leaders’ oversight of X Corp.’s adherence to the 2022 Administrative Order.
Lea Kissner, former Chief Information Security Officer at Twitter, testified that decisions influenced by Musk and others regarding extensive layoffs and cost-cutting measures hindered X Corp.’s capacity to implement essential technical restrictions and controls. These measures were pivotal in ensuring that contact data was utilized strictly for its intended purpose. As the legal proceedings unfold, the case brings to the forefront critical questions about privacy and security practices in tech corporations, with Elon Musk at the center of this latest legal scrutiny.