Internet14.03.2011

Twitter, regulators finalize security settlement

The Federal Trade Commission said the settlement resolves charges that Twitter deceived its customers and put their privacy at risk by failing to keep their personal information safe as promised by the company’s policies.

The settlement bars Twitter from misleading consumers about its security and privacy practices for 20 years. The startup, which lets people publish short messages called tweets, must also establish a comprehensive information security program that will be audited every other year for 10 years.

No monetary damages were assessed.

The FTC complaint said that hackers were able to gain administrative control of Twitter twice between January and May 2009, and that weak employee passwords and other poor security practices on the part of staffers were to blame. About 55 accounts were accessed by the hackers.

Twitter has said that it quickly closed the security holes after the breaches were discovered.

 

Show comments

Latest news

More news

Trending news

Poll

Which company do you trust the most for an ERP system?

View Results

Loading ... Loading ...
Sign up to the MyBroadband newsletter