Barney's Blog

Blog archive

Twitter a Privacy Twit

Twitter has agreed that it is not exactly God's gift to privacy and told the Federal Trade Commission it will do better. Apparently Twitter led users to believe their privacy was protected far more than it actually was. The key problem is it's far too easy for hackers to gain administrative control of user accounts.

As part of the settlement Twitter "will be barred for 20 years from misleading consumers about the extent to which it maintains and protects the security, privacy and confidentiality of nonpublic consumer information." I guess after that, Twitter can go back to its old tricks.

I'm not sure how Twitter's admission went, but it could have sounded something like this: "Ftc we prmise 2 du bettr & r sory, reely reely sory."

By the way, if you're interested in the topic of tech companies and privacy, be sure to read our July 2010 cover feature, "What Does Microsoft Know About You?," available online here.

Posted by Doug Barney on June 30, 2010


Featured

  • Microsoft Offers Support Extensions for Exchange 2016 and 2019

    Microsoft has introduced a paid Extended Security Update (ESU) program for on-premises Exchange Server 2016 and 2019, offering a crucial safety cushion as both versions near their Oct. 14, 2025 end-of-support date.

  • An image of planes flying around a globe

    2025 Microsoft Conference Calendar: For Partners, IT Pros and Developers

    Here's your guide to all the IT training sessions, partner meet-ups and annual Microsoft conferences you won't want to miss.

  • Notebook

    Microsoft Centers AI, Security and Partner Dogfooding at MCAPS

    Microsoft's second annual MCAPS for Partners event took place Tuesday, delivering a volley of updates and directives for its partners for fiscal 2026.

  • Microsoft Layoffs: AI Is the Obvious Elephant in the Room

    As Microsoft doubles down on an $80 billion bet on AI this fiscal year, its workforce reductions are drawing scrutiny over whether AI's ascent is quietly reshaping its human capital strategy, even as official messaging avoids drawing a direct line.