New insights have emerged from court filings regarding the Federal Trade Commission's inquiry into Elon Musk's management of privacy and security matters at X.
(Photo : CHRIS DELMAS/AFP via Getty Images)
This photo illustration shows the X logo (formerly Twitter) on a smartphone screen in Los Angeles, California, on July 31, 2023. San Francisco sent the company formerly known as Twitter a warning on July 31, 2023, that it needed proper permits for the giant, flashing new X sign atop its headquarters, after the tech firm twice refused to let building inspectors check it.
Facing Scrutiny from FTC
In a recent filing on behalf of the FTC, Engadget the Department of Justice presents fresh insights obtained from several former high-ranking Twitter executives.
According to the DoJ, Damien Kieran, Twitter's former chief privacy officer, revealed that the launch of Twitter Blue was executed so swiftly that it bypassed the standard security and privacy review procedures typically adhered to in the company's software development process.
As outlined in the filing, the FTC's inquiries were prompted by the swift and drastic transformations that unfolded at the company subsequent to Elon Musk assuming control.
The filing additionally delves into employee apprehensions surrounding Elon Musk's endeavors to provide an external journalist with unrestricted access to the company's internal systems.
The government's concerns extend to Elon Musk's reorganization of the company's server infrastructure across various data centers.
The U.S. government firmly opposes the former Twitter's bid to escape oversight of its data privacy and security practices, labeling it as lacking merit. Moreover, it asserts that Elon Musk, the owner, should not evade testifying about the company's affairs, as he possesses first-hand knowledge of the subject under investigation.
This encompasses decisions Musk made after taking control of the company, such as extensive layoffs, hurried product launches, and the creation of an overall disorderly environment. The Washington Post reported that these actions could potentially run afoul of a government directive that restricts the company's privacy and security practices.
Gathering Insights from Former Employees
During its investigation, the FTC gathered insights from five former employees of X Corp, shedding light on a tumultuous environment within the company. Associated Press reported that these revelations cast significant doubts on whether Musk and other leaders were effectively ensuring X Corp's adherence to the consent order.
For example, Associated Press reported that Andrew Sayler, former director of security engineering at Twitter, testified that he harbored persistent concerns about Elon Musk's commitment to the overall security and privacy of the organization.
Sayler found Musk's requests for granting access to third parties without the usual vetting process to be indicative of a certain level of disregard for the sensitivity and security associated with such access.
In another instance detailed in the filing, Musk pushed for the accelerated launch of Twitter Blue's user verification service, despite staffing limitations.
According to the testimony of another former employee, Musk "insisted" on an immediate launch, even though the company's reduced workforce was struggling to maintain the service's functionality.
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