Twitter is trying to resolve federal authorities’ charges that it failed to protect users’ data over a six-year period. Therefore, Twitter will pay a $150 million penalty and implement new protections. Hence, the settlement with Twitter announced on Wednesday by the Justice Department and the Federal Trade Commission. Twitter allegedly broke a 2011 FTC ruling by misleading users about how well it managed. Also, how it protected the privacy and security of their non-public contact information, according to the authorities.
From May 2013 to September 2019, Twitter informed users that their phone numbers and email addresses were being collected for account security purposes. However, the government claims that it failed to disclose that it would also utilize the information to enable corporations to send targeted web adverts to platform users.
In a federal lawsuit filed Wednesday, the regulators also said that Twitter falsely claimed to comply with US privacy accords with the European Union and Switzerland. Thus, it prevents corporations from processing user data for reasons other than those permitted by users.
The San Francisco-based corporation boasts a global user base of more than 229 million people. A federal court in California must approve the $150 million penalty and the mandated additional compliance procedures as part of the deal.
Creation of a new data governance committee, within the organization
In November, Twitter announced the creation of a new data governance committee within the organization.
For weeks, the controversy surrounding Tesla entrepreneur Elon Musk’s proposed $44 billion purchase of Twitter has engulfed the firm. Mr. Musk, who is one of Twitter’s top owners, amended his proposed takeover funding strategy on Wednesday. Therefore, giving investors hope that the acquisition may still go through.
Some experts are concerned that Mr. Musk may reduce content-moderation regulations that protect people from white supremacy, hate speech, and threats of violence. Following the assault on the US Capitol in January 2021, the network famously banned former President Donald Trump.
- To resolve federal regulators’ charges that Twitter failed to secure the privacy of its users’ data. The social media site will pay a $150 million penalty and implement additional protections.
- From May 2013 to September 2019, Twitter informed users that their phone numbers and email addresses were being collected for account security purposes.
- A federal court in California must approve the $150 million penalty and the mandated additional compliance procedures as part of the deal.
