Twitter: fired security chief Zatko raises more allegations

Twitter: fired security chief Zatko raises more allegations

San Francisco, 8/24/2022

More details are emerging in the U.S. media about the allegations made by Twitter’s former head of security- Peter Zatko. We summarize:

Zatko has alleged, according to the report,

– that some Twitter employees may be working for foreign intelligence agencies

– in addition, numerous employees would be able to access sensitive data without any control.

– that the company has led its board to believe that the situation is much better than it actually is.

– that Twitter does not delete customer data even when users delete their accounts. It also alleged that the company lied to regulators about the fact that it was doing so.

Zatko is also said to have commented on the claims made by Elon Musk Twitter does not know the number of fake accounts on its platform. According to the statement, Twitter executives would not have the technical means to be able to identify the number of bots on the platform. They also lacked the motivation to do so.

Musk had demanded from Twitter exact numbers of fake accounts and guarantees that less than five percent of user accounts were spam or fake. Twitter’s failure to comply with the request was one reason Musk scrapped the deal. Alex Spiro, Elon Musk’s lawyer, has stated that Zatko has been subpoenaed.

Zatko claims that he wanted to help Twitter fix the numerous technical flaws in the company. Further, he claims he wanted to help remedy allegations by the U.S. Federal Trade Commission, which had found non-compliance with privacy agreements.

According to him, he was fired in January for outlining technical security flaws to Twitter board members. Twitter, on the other hand, claims he was fired for poor performance.

Zatko is being accompanied by Whistleblower Aid during his disclosures. The non-profit organization had also represented Facebook whistleblower Frances Haugen.

According to CNN, Twitter has not yet commented on Zatko’s allegations.