FTC Weighs Modifying $150 Million Twitter Privacy Settlement

Summary

The FTC is seeking public comment on whether to modify or set aside its 2022 settlement with Twitter, now X, over allegations that account-security data was used for targeted ads. X says the order is outdated; a decision is expected after July 2.

Key points

The FTC is considering changes to or setting aside its 2022 settlement order with Twitter, now X.
The settlement followed FTC allegations that Twitter used phone numbers and email addresses collected for account security to target advertising.
Twitter was fined $150 million and barred from continuing to profit from the allegedly deceptively collected data.
X argues the order is outdated and burdensome, citing changes at the company and its privacy controls.
The FTC invited public comment through July 2 and will decide afterward whether to change the order.

Article Details

Event Type: Regulatory review of a privacy settlement order
Impact: The 2022 order followed allegations that Twitter used phone numbers and email addresses collected for account security to target advertising, affecting more than 140 million users. Twitter was fined $150 million and barred from continuing the practice. Modifying or setting aside the order could change the privacy obligations imposed on X.

People

Elon MuskBought Twitter in October 2022, a change in ownership relevant to X's argument that the settlement order applies to a company that has since changed.Lina KhanAs FTC Chair, she said the practice involved using account-security data to target users with ads.

Products

TwitterThe FTC is considering whether to modify or set aside its 2022 settlement order against Twitter, now X, over allegations that account security data was used to target advertising.XThe FTC is considering whether to modify or set aside its 2022 settlement order against Twitter, now X, over allegations that account security data was used to target advertising.

Industries

advertisingThe FTC is considering whether to modify or set aside its 2022 settlement order against Twitter, now X, over allegations that account security data was used to target advertising.