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twitter A $ 150 million settlement has been reached with the Justice Department and the Federal Trade Commission on suspicion of misrepresentation of data privacy practices. publication on wednesday.
The settlement, which still requires federal judge approval, resolves the government’s allegations that Twitter not only protected accounts, but also did not properly inform users of how to use contact information to target ads. To do. With the FTC method 2011 reconciliation It arrived at the agency.
In a proceeding following the announcement of the settlement, the government accused Twitter of misrepresenting the scope of security and privacy protection for users’ private contact information, at least between May 2013 and September 2019. ..
The agency claimed that Twitter told users to collect phone numbers and email addresses and protect their accounts with two-factor authentication, but also used information to help advertisers target their messages. I didn’t reveal it. They also accused Twitter of falsely claiming to be compliant with an international privacy shield framework that prohibits the processing of user data for purposes not permitted by the company.
In a statement announcing the settlement, FTC Chairman Lina Khan said the alleged Twitter breach affected more than 140 million Twitter users.
As part of the settlement, Twitter will create a comprehensive privacy program, conduct privacy reviews and written reports prior to implementing new products and services that collect personal user information, and regularly test the privacy of data. , New compliance measures need to be introduced. It must also be submitted for regular and independent assessments of the Data Privacy Program. Both the DOJ and the FTC are responsible for enforcing compliance with the terms of the settlement.
Associate Attorney Vanita Gupta said in a statement, “The $ 150 million fine reflects the seriousness of the allegations against Twitter, and the substantial new compliance measures imposed as a result of today’s settlement are: Helps prevent further misleading tactics that threaten users. “Privacy.”
A $ 150 million fine is about 3% of Twitter. 2021 income Of $ 5.08 billion.
This settlement is the latest attempt by US law enforcement agencies to apply consumer protection laws to alleged data privacy breaches. In 2019, FTC resolved its privacy claim to Facebook Record $ 5 billion.. But critics at the time said that wasn’t enough given that numbers accounted for about 9% of the company’s 2018 revenue, motivating tech companies to take such risks again. He claimed that he had hit his wrist.
In a blog post on Wednesday, Twitter Chief Privacy Officer Damien Kieran wrote about the incident: Disclosure in 2019It contained contact information for users who “may have been misused in advertising”, provided for account security.
“This issue has been resolved as of September 17, 2019. Today, we would like to repeat the work we do to protect the privacy and security of people who use Twitter,” Kieran wrote. increase.
“Keeping your data safe and respecting your privacy is something we take very seriously, and we’ve worked with the FTC at every stage,” he added. “We paid a US $ 150 million penalty to reach this settlement, and we will work with agents to update operations and enhance programs to keep people’s personal data safe and to protect their privacy. did.”
See: Why the US Government is questioning your online privacy
