US fines Twitter $150 million for privacy violations

The personal information that users transfer to technology companies and the ways in which technology companies use this data is a repeated “front of conflict” between regulators and other “conflicts”. technology giants (Big Tech) like Meta (Facebook’s parent company), Twitter and many other companies. Controversies over user privacy have led to periodic lawsuits or settlements, amid longstanding public calls for the authorities to comprehensively update national rules on how to treat users. online user data management.

According to regulators, statistics show that in the five-year period through the end of 2019, more than 140 million Twitter users provided a phone number or email address to the San Francisco-based social network. (US) to help secure two-factor (two-factor authentication) accounts. The security technique involves strengthening a password with a disposable code sent through a text message or email.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the US Department of Justice accused Twitter of asking users to provide phone numbers or email addresses to tighten privacy when operating on this online platform, but then later and pass that information on to advertisers to screen target customers.

FTC Chairwoman Lina Khan said in a statement: “Twitter collects data from users for the sake of security, but ends up using this data to target customers with advertising partners. spend, without their consent”.

Meanwhile, attorney Stephanie Hinds said: “When sharing personal information, users have the right to know if their information is being used to help advertisers target customers.”

The settlement agreement between the US authorities and Twitter states that in addition to paying a fine of $ 150 million, the social network will take measures including regularly evaluating the social network’s privacy program through an independent appraiser. In addition, the agreement also requires Twitter to notify everyone who joined the social network before the end of 2019 about its rules and options to protect user privacy.

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