US senators are urging the Fair Trade Commission (FTC) to review the user privacy and security handling practices of Twitter under Elon Musk's leadership.
In a letter to the FTC, the lawmakers asked the commission to look at the chaotic rollout of paid verifications, and the departures of the social network's privacy and security executives.
Lawmakers Are Concerned That Twitter Is Violating Consumer Protection Laws
According to Engadget, seven Democratic senators signed the letter to the FTC, after a lawyer at Twitter warned the public that the company might be fined billions by the Commission.
"In recent weeks, Twitter's new Chief Executive Officer, Elon Musk, has taken alarming steps that have undermined the safety and integrity of the platform," the letter claims.
The letter also cited the dangers of the verification subscription the CEO wants to implement on the social media site, which may be used in fraud, scams, and unlawful impersonations.
It can be recalled that only recently, users created accounts that impersonate companies and corporations using Twitter Blue to spread fake news on the platform.
This came around after safety and cybersecurity officers from Twitter left, while waves of employees were also either quitting or getting fired from their jobs.
Cyber Scoop writes that Twitter's former chief information security officer complained that the company has misled regulators, consumers, and board members about its security practices.
Under the FTC's terms of regulation agreed upon by Twitter in 2011, the social network is required to review features that may compromise users' privacy.
"We urge the Commission to vigorously oversee its consent decree with Twitter and to bring enforcement actions against any breached or business practices that are unfair or deceptive," the senators write.
At the moment, Engadget says that the FTC is yet to confirm whether they plan to launch the investigation as requested by the Democratic senators.
However, last week, a spokesperson from the Commission said that the FTC is already following the recent developments and changes at Twitter with deep concern.
This Is Not The First Time Twitter Caught The Attention Of The FTC
With the turmoil caused by Musk's takeover of Twitter, the FTC has made it clear in their public statements that the CEO should be subjected to enforcement actions if the agency finds any violations.
However, this is not the first time the Commission went after Twitter as earlier this year, the social media company paid $150 million to settle a case with the FTC and the Department of Justice.
According to Cyber Scoop, this settlement agreement was in relation to how Twitter misled users in their collection of phone numbers to verify accounts.
With the departure of key security officers from the company, Twitter has attracted the attention of global critics, scrutinizing the possible dangers that may mean to the platform's moderation.
The Financial Times reports that aside from the FTC, European privacy watchdogs like the Irish Data Protection Commission have already raised similar concerns.
This week, Musk called the rap[id changes on the social network to a halt after Twitter Blue's $8 a month program brought a surge of misinformation and hate speech with the blue tick feature.
