Personal data: United States will continue to monitor X (formerly Twitter)

On September 11, 2023, the United States Department of Justice ordered San Francisco courts to reject a request by Twitter concerning its personal data policy. The case dates back to a suit filed against the social network by the Federal Trade Commission. The FTC accused X of concealing its use of subscriber personal data for targeted advertising, between 2013 and 2019.

In May 2022, the social network settled the lawsuit, paying a 150 million USD fine (140 million EUR) and agreeing to regular monitoring by the FTC in regard to its data management policy.

In July 2023, X appealed to San Francisco courts, in order to have the decision overturned or at least revised. “Today X wants to get rid of the agreement and reduce monitoring of its data practices. This request is unfounded and must be denied,” declared the DOJ.

The DOJ also recommended that the FTC carry out detailed analysis of Elon Musk’s acquisition of X in October 2022 and its consequences on the company data protection policy. Finally, the DOJ put pressure on San Francisco to deny Elon Musk’s request to be exempt from testifying.

“X is not entitled to immunity suspending Musk’s testimony. Contrary to X’s claims, Musk has first-hand knowledge about the current state and direction of the company’s data practices and efforts to comply with the 2022 Administrative Order,” explains the DOJ.