Twitter security problems pose serious threat, whistleblower says

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Twitter security whistleblower overview: 

• Who: Peiter “Mudge” Zatko, Twitter’s former head of security, has come out with allegations of company misconduct. 
• Why: Zatko claims Twitter has reckless and negligent cybersecurity policies that risk users’ personal information, jeopardizes its shareholders and puts democracy and national security at risk. 
• Where: Twitter is used by consumers nationwide. 

A former Twitter exec has come out with claims the social networking company has reckless and negligent cybersecurity policies, endangering its users personal information. 

Peiter “Mudge” Zatko, Twitter’s previous head of security, further alleges that Twitter has security problems that jeopardize its shareholders and put national security and democracy at risk, CNN Business reports. 

Zatko sent his disclosure, suggesting Twitter is filled with mismanagement and reckless behavior, to federal agencies and Congress last month and agreed to be publicly identified.

Zatko, who reported directly to the CEO while at Twitter, claims the company does not provide proper oversight of the multitude of employees who have access to its central controls and the most delicate information, CNN Business reports. 

The disclosure also accuses several of Twitter’s higher-up senior executives of engaging in an attempt to conceal significant vulnerabilities and that the company does not adequately delete the data of a user who has chosen to cancel their account. 

Twitter security whistleblowers claims leadership has misled government regulators about vulnerabilities

Zatko claims that at least one current Twitter employee may also be working on behalf of a foreign intelligence service, CNN Business reports. 

Twitter’s leadership has also worked to mislead government regulators, as well as its own board, about the security vulnerabilities it faces, the Twitter security disclosure alleges. 

Zatko claims some of these alleged vulnerabilities could allow foreign agents to engage in manipulation, hacking or spying campaigns, CNN Business reports. 

Twitter executives also don’t fully know the amount of bots on the platform, an issue which Elon Musk claims is his reason for attempting to back out of purchasing the company for $44 billion. 

Zatko was fired from Twitter in January with the company claiming he was released from his position on account of poor performance, CNN Business reports. 

Whistleblower Aid is representing Zatko with the group having previously represented Facebook whistleblower Frances Haugen. 

Twitter, in a statement to CNN, called Zatko’s disclosure “a false narrative” that is “riddled with inconsistencies and inaccuracies and lacks important context.” 

In related news, last month, Twitter confirmed that 5.4 million of its users had their personal information exposed in a data breach which occurred as a result of a vulnerability. 

Additionally, a group of Twitter users filed a class action lawsuit against the company earlier this month, claiming the company failed to disclose that it would be using their email addresses and phone numbers for advertising and marketing purposes. 

Are you concerned about potential Twitter security problems? Let us know in the comments! 

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