According to the document, the commission is studying the issue of Twitter’s use of information about the phone number and/or email address provided by the user for security and protection purposes for targeted advertising in the period from 2013 to 2019. As a result of the investigation, the company faces a fine of $ 150 to $ 250 million.

In a blog post, Twitter reported in 2019 that it could “accidentally” match users’ phone numbers and email addresses provided for two-factor authentication with marketing lists that were uploaded by advertisers. “ It was a mistake and we apologize, ” the company wrote, noting that it did not know how many people were affected. “ As of September 17th, we have addressed the issue that caused this to happen and we no longer use the phone numbers or email addresses collected for security purposes for advertising,” she added.

Twitter noted that it has already received a draft FTC statement of claim, in which it is accused of violating the 2011 agreement. As noted by the Financial Times, this agreement prohibits the company from misleading consumers about the degree of protection of the security and confidentiality of their data and coercing them to participate in the creation and maintenance of a comprehensive information protection program.

Apparently, Twitter has no illusions about the outcome of the investigation and has already set aside $ 150 million to cover the minimum amount of the fine that it may have to pay.