tech
Elon Musk tries again to escape FTC audits of X data handling
Musk can’t be trusted to protect X user privacy, public commenters warn FTC.
TL;DR
- Elon Musk is petitioning to end a 20-year FTC data-privacy order that restricts X's data use and requires regular audits.
- The order stems from a 2019 settlement where Twitter paid $150 million for a coding error that exposed user data to targeted advertising.
- Musk's previous attempt to revoke the order in 2023 failed, with accusations of FTC bias and improper demands.
- The FTC argues Musk's takeover impaired X's compliance, citing terminated staff and cost-cutting pressures.
- X claims the FTC's order should be dropped because the company structure has changed, key personnel involved in the error are gone, and a robust privacy program is now in place.
- Public commenters overwhelmingly urge the FTC to deny X's petition, citing distrust in Musk's handling of user privacy and pointing to recent data breaches.
- Some commenters suggest intensifying FTC scrutiny rather than dismissing the order, especially concerning X's use of user data for AI training.
- X argues the order imposes needless costs, duplicates GDPR compliance, chills speech, and conflicts with AI initiatives.