What They Are Staying | Weaponization Select Subcommittee Report on FTC's Targeting of Twitter
Wall Street Journal: FTC Twitter Investigation Sought Elon Musk’s Internal Communications, Journalist Names
* The Judiciary panel’s report, the first by a new subcommittee examining what Republicans call “weaponization" of federal agencies, accused the FTC of overstepping its authority at the urging of progressive groups unhappy with Mr. Musk’s acquisition of the company.
Fox News: Jim Jordan: FTC probing Musk Twitter takeover may be most 'egregious threat' to First Amendment
* Chairman Jim Jordan (R-OH) discusses the FTC demanding Elon Musk turn over internal Twitter documents, including a list of the journalists who were behind the viral Twitter Files on "Hannity."
The Hill: FTC demanded Musk communications, names of journalists receiving internal files in Twitter probe, House Republicans say
* The House Judiciary Committee and the select subcommittee probing the “Weaponization of the Federal Government" released an interim staff report on the FTC’s interactions with Twitter, accusing the agency of “harassment" of the tech firm.
New York Post: Feds want Twitter’s internal Musk comms, reporter names: House GOP
* The Federal Trade Commission has sent more than a dozen letters to Twitter since Elon Musk took over as CEO demanding a broad array of internal communications - including the names of all reporters who got access to the so-called “Twitter Files," House Republicans revealed Tuesday.
Breitbart: Jim Jordan: FTC Investigation into Musk, Twitter ‘Egregious’ - ‘Attack on the First Amendment’
* Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH), chairman of the House Oversight Committee, blasted the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) for its investigation of Elon Musk and Twitter. “Well, the FTC called up - sent letters to a private company and asked them what journalists - who in the press are you talking to?" he said. “Now think about this, this may be the most egregious threat to the First Amendment I’ve ever seen they and this harassment of Twitter started when Elon Musk bought the company. I think 12 different letters they send in a span of like two months."
Reuters: US FTC asked Twitter for details on Musk's internal communications - House report
* The staff report by the House Judiciary Committee and Select Subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government said while some of what the FTC had asked for was relevant to its probe regarding Twitter, other elements went too far.
The Daily Wire: Elon Musk Responds After FTC Reportedly Makes 350+ Demands For ‘Specific’ Internal Company Information
* “There is no logical reason, for example, why the FTC needs to know the identities of journalists engaging with Twitter," the statement from the House Judiciary concluded. “There is no logical reason why the FTC, on the basis of user privacy, needs to analyze all of Twitter’s personnel decisions. And there is no logical reason why the FTC needs every single internal Twitter communication about Elon Musk."
Business Insider: Elon Musk says federal probe of Twitter is a 'weaponization of a government agency and a 'serious attack on the Constitution'
* FTC has kept a close eye on the company, telling Reuters in November it had "deep concern" after four privacy and compliance executives quit. The Journal reported that the government agency had asked Twitter for detailed information on layoffs because it's worried it now cannot properly protect users' data.
CNN: FTC says it’s conducting an investigation into Twitter’s privacy practices
* The report also claims the FTC asked Twitter to produce thousands of Slack messages related to Musk, details of its Twitter Blue subscription program, and information about the office equipment it was reportedly selling as part of its cost-cutting moves. Across a dozen letters, the FTC made more than 350 requests for information, according to the report.
Washington Times: FTC demands names of all ‘Twitter Files’ journalists as part of wide-ranging probe into Elon Musk
* The letters were disclosed in a 113-page report Tuesday issued by the House Judiciary Committee and the Select Subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government alleging overreach on behalf of the FTC and a campaign to “harass Elon Musk’s Twitter." The lawmakers behind the report say the demands have “no basis in the FTC’s statutory mission and appear to be the result of partisan pressure to target Twitter and silence Musk."
The Epoch Times: Elon Musk Responds After Federal Agency Allegedly Makes 350 Demands for Internal Twitter Information
* “Consisting of over a dozen FTC demand letters to Twitter that-in the span of less than three months following Musk’s acquisition-make more than 350 specific demands, this information shows how the FTC has been attempting to harass Twitter and pry into the company’s decisions on matters outside of the FTC’s mandate," the House Judiciary Committee stated. “The timing, scope, and frequency of the FTC’s demands to Twitter suggest a partisan motivation to its action."
AP News: FTC probes Twitter data practices after Elon Musk’s layoffs
* The House said the requests amounted to a deluge of “demands about its personnel decisions in each of the company’s departments, every internal communication relating to Elon Musk and even Twitter’s interactions with journalists" who Musk’s team allowed to see certain employee emails and messages.
Read the full report here.
Source: House Committee On The Judiciary
