Why senators are concerned about Twitter’s data security

…Experts told the The Hill that these concerns are legitimate, and lawmakers should be questioning Twitter, especially given the company’s history with the FTC.

“It is reasonable for lawmakers to consider the privacy and security practices of companies if they believe there are potential violations as long as that is the true motive,” said Brandon Pugh, policy director of the cybersecurity and emerging threats team at the R Street Institute.

However, Pugh said that based on the letter, it seems unclear “what the specific actions Twitter is alleged to have taken, since it mainly relies on past actions and recent staff departures to assume that there have been violations.”

Pugh also said that Twitter should consider the concerns raised in the letter, given that the FTC has a history of investigating and taking action against the company for privacy violations. 

“It is not clear if Twitter violated consent decrees, but I would not be surprised if the FTC begins additional investigation surrounding issues raised in the letter, if it has not already,” he added…