Twitter Seeks Court to End FTC Order on Data Practices

Twitter Urges Court to Lift FTC Order on Data Security Amid Bias Allegations

In a recent development, Twitter has made a plea to a federal court, seeking the termination of a Federal Trade Commission (FTC) order that imposes restrictions on the platform’s data security practices. The social media giant claims that the agency has strayed off course and become tainted by bias.

In a filing submitted to the U.S. District Court of Northern California, Twitter argues that the FTC’s investigation into its practices has become burdensome and vexatious. The company further asserts that the acquisition of Twitter by Elon Musk has resulted in a sudden and significant shift in the agency’s approach to the investigation. Additionally, Twitter is seeking a stay on the order, preventing the agency from questioning Musk, alleging that such a desire arises from the same bad faith and improper conduct that has marred the investigation thus far.

This filing from Twitter comes on the heels of FTC Chair Lina Khan’s scheduled testimony on Capitol Hill, where she is anticipated to face a challenging reception from Republicans. These lawmakers have accused Khan of mishandling the agency and conducting a politically motivated probe into Twitter.

Under a settlement reached in 2011, Twitter had agreed to implement, monitor, and adjust security measures to safeguard user data. However, in 2022, the Justice Department accused the platform of soliciting users’ phone numbers under the pretense of enhancing security and subsequently using those numbers for marketing purposes. As a result of these allegations, Twitter consented to pay a $150 million fine for supposedly violating the terms of the 2011 order, which prohibited the company from making misleading statements regarding the security of personal information.

Twitter’s move to contest the FTC order showcases the ongoing struggle between the platform and the regulatory body, with the company adamantly asserting its innocence while accusing the agency of bias and improper conduct. The outcome of this legal battle will undoubtedly have significant implications for Twitter’s data security practices and could potentially set a precedent for similar cases in the future.