Elon Musk tries again to escape FTC audits of X data handling
Summary
Elon Musk is trying again to stop the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) from monitoring how X (formerly Twitter) handles user data. The FTC put a 20-year privacy order on Twitter after it misused some user information for ads, and Musk argues that the order is no longer needed because the company changed and improved its data protections.Key Facts
- The FTC set a 20-year order on Twitter’s data use after a coding error allowed phone numbers and emails to be used for targeted ads between 2013 and 2019.
- Twitter agreed to pay $150 million and allow FTC audits until 2042 before Elon Musk took over in 2022.
- Musk previously tried to end the order in 2023 but lost in court.
- The FTC says Musk’s staff cuts hurt X’s privacy controls and forced some security workers to resist his orders to stay compliant.
- Musk claims Twitter no longer exists, merged into xAI and then SpaceX, so the order should end.
- Musk also says new leadership and privacy programs make FTC monitoring unnecessary.
- The company argues it spent $17 million on unnecessary costs related to the FTC order.
- The FTC’s order requires the company to comply with privacy laws and allows the agency to request documents anytime.
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