FTC has alleged that Amazon executives engaged in the destruction of potential evidence by utilizing applications.
This accusation arises from their purported use of the ephemeral messaging platform for an extended period following the federal government's notification to Amazon regarding an ongoing antitrust investigation.
The US giant Amazon logo is pictured on September 23, 2021, on the opening day of a new distribution center in Augny, near Metz, eastern France. (Photo: SEBASTIEN BOZON/AFP via Getty Images)
Accusing Executives of Evidence Tampering
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) alleges that Amazon executives, including Jeff Bezos and Andy Jassy, utilized apps such as Signal to erase potential evidence, hindering the agency's antitrust investigation.
Despite being informed of the inquiry, executives purportedly continued to use Signal's ephemeral messaging feature, leading to concerns of evidence tampering.
FTC lawyers filed a submission on Thursday, asserting that Amazon's top brass exploited Signal's disappearing messages to conceal information pertinent to the antitrust lawsuit.
The lawsuit revolves around Amazon's alleged creation of a clandestine pricing algorithm known as "Project Nessie."
This algorithm is suspected of generating over $1 billion in additional profits for the company. The Washington Post disclosed that Amazon is not alone in using encrypted messaging platforms like Signal, raising broader concerns about using such apps for clandestine communication amidst legal proceedings.
Law enforcement officials have referenced previous legal proceedings that involved the utilization of Signal, citing instances like Sam Bankman-Fried's trial for fraud and the recent legal clash between Google and Epic Games.
These comparisons underscore the significance and implications of Amazon executives' alleged use of the encrypted messaging app in the context of the ongoing antitrust investigation.
By drawing parallels to these past cases, authorities aim to highlight patterns of behavior and potential ramifications associated with using such messaging platforms in legal proceedings.
Deleted chats emerged as a significant issue in these legal proceedings, including the DOJ's antitrust trial against Google.
In the latest development, court documents reveal screenshots of a Signal conversation between two Amazon executives. The conversation discussed the activation of disappearing messages with the phrase, "Are you feeling encrypted?"
According to the FTC's legal team, Jeff Bezos, current CEO Andy Jassy, general counsel David Zapolsky, former CEO of worldwide operations Dave Clark, and other executives are Signal users.
The document highlights Bezos as a "frequent Signal user," suggesting that his advocacy for the app may have been influenced by the 2018 hacking of his personal cellphone.
FTC Pursues Discovery Amid Allegations
FTC attorneys actively seek discovery regarding Amazon's endeavors to maintain documents, aiming to ascertain the extent of potentially missing information.
Despite requests made last autumn for pertinent documents regarding Amazon's guidance to employees regarding ephemeral apps, the FTC alleges that Amazon has largely withheld the requested material.
If the judge determines that Amazon failed to preserve data relevant to the case, it could face sanctions. Furthermore, if the judge concludes that these failures were intentional, the consequences could be even more severe.
