A PYMNTS Company

FTC Subpoenaed By US House Panel Over Twitter Probe

By  |  April 12, 2023

The US House of Representatives Judiciary Committee, led by Republicans, has issued a subpoena to the chair of the Federal Trade Commission for documents pertaining to the agency’s privacy investigation of Twitter, according to the committee’s announcement on Wednesday.

    Get the Full Story

    Complete the form to unlock this article and enjoy unlimited free access to all PYMNTS content — no additional logins required.

    yesSubscribe to our daily newsletter, PYMNTS Today.

    By completing this form, you agree to receive marketing communications from PYMNTS and to the sharing of your information with our sponsor, if applicable, in accordance with our Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions.

    The committee requested information from FTC Chair Lina Khan regarding the probe after Elon Musk’s purchase of the social media company in October. However, they did not receive a satisfactory response.

    “Your voluntary compliance has been woefully insufficient. Accordingly, the Committee is issuing a subpoena to compel the production of documents necessary to inform our oversight,” Jordan said in a letter to Khan which accompanied the subpoena.

    Read more: FTC Asks Twitter How It Plans To Comply With Consent Decree

    The subpoena is unnecessary, FTC spokesman Douglas Farrar said in a statement. “We have made multiple offers to brief Chairman Jordan’s staff on our investigation into Twitter. Those are standing offers made prior to this entirely unnecessary subpoena.”

    According to a report released by the committee in March, allegations are being investigated regarding the FTC’s potential abuse of authority in relation to Twitter’s acquisition by Musk.

    The FTC has been conducting an investigation of Twitter’s compliance with a 2022 FTC order, which the company signed to settle allegations that it violated promises to protect user privacy. The FTC has demanded that Twitter turn over owner Mr. Musk’s personal communications and explain high-profile business decisions, The Journal reported last month.