PERSONAL DATA

Whistleblower says Twitter’s security measures ‘a decade’ behind

By our News Team | 2022

Platform’s former security boss tells government hearing that his bosses covered up major data security inadequacies.

Social media platform Twitter, already embroiled in a messy legal tussle with Tesla founder Elon Musk, now faces more controversy after a former senior employee testified that the platform’s security measures are inadequate. 

Cybersecurity is already a major concern for consumers around the world, so the allegations made before a US Senate Judiciary Committee by Twitter’s former head of security will only intensify those fears.

Personal Data

Photo by Brett Jordan from Pexels

Peiter Zatko, who worked at Twitter between 2020 and 2022 before being fired for what were described as “performance shortcomings”, has now turned whistleblower and claimed that the platform’s security is a decade behind where it should be.

“Twitter’s unsafe handling of the data of its users and its inability or unwillingness to truthfully represent issues to its board of directors and regulators have created real risk to tens of millions of Americans, the American democratic process, and America’s national security,” Zatko said in the hearing being held in Washington DC to examine data security at risk. 

Duped regulators and lied to the public

Zatko claimed Twitter’s executives “repeatedly covered up its security failures by duping regulators and lying to users and investors”.

He also told senators that the social media platform was a “ticking bomb of security vulnerabilities”.

Zatko has further alleged that Twitter allowed foreign agents to operate on its payroll and consented to the demands of countries like China, which tend to be at odds with the US on a range of matters.

“Twitter is an immensely powerful platform that cannot afford gaping security vulnerabilities,” Judiciary Chairman, Dick Durbin, said in his opening remarks on Tuesday.

In a study by Boston Consulting Group (BCG) and Google, published early this year, 64% of consumers said they mistrusted companies to protect their personal data and privacy online.

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    Dr Kin Kariisa

    Group CEO - Next Media

    Dr. Kin Kariisa is an extraordinary force at the helm of Next Media Services, a conglomerate encompassing NBS TV, Nile Post, Sanyuka TV, Next Radio, Salam TV, Next Communication, Next Productions, and an array of other influential enterprises. His dynamic role as Chief Executive Officer exemplifies his unwavering commitment to shaping media, business, and community landscapes.
    With an esteemed academic journey, Dr. Kariisa’s accolades include an Honorary PhD in exemplary community service from the United Graduate College inTexas, an MBA from United States International University in Nairobi, Kenya, a Master’s degree in Computer Engineering from Huazong University in China, and a Bachelor’s degree in Statistics from Makerere University.
    Dr. Kariisa pursued PhD research in Computer Security and Identity Management at Security of Systems Group, Radboud University in Nijmegen, Netherlands. As a dynamic educator, he has shared his expertise as a lecturer of e-Government and Information Security at both Makerere University and Radboud University.

    Dr Kin did his PhD research in Computer Security and Identity Management at Security of Systems Group, Radbond University in Nigmegen, Netherlands. He previously served as a lecturer of e-Government and Information Security at Makerere University in Kampala, Uganda and Radbond University in Netherlands.

    Dr Kin did his postgraduate courses in Strategic Business Management, Strategic Leadership Communication and Strategies for Leading Successful Change Initiatives at Harvard University, Boston USA.

    • Other current and previous roles played by Dr Kin Kariisa:
    • Lecturer of e-Government and Information Security to graduate students at Makerere University, Kampala and Radbond University in the Netherlands
    • Director of Eco Bank Uganda Limited, one of the largest banks in Africa
    • Chairman of the National Association of Broadcasters, an umbrella industry association for all Television, Radio and online broadcasters in Uganda.
    • Chairman of Board of Directors of Nile Hotel International, that owns the leading hotel in Uganda, Kampala Serena Hotel.
    • Chairman of Board of Directors of Soliton Telmec Uganda, the leading telecom company in Optic fibre business managing over 80% of optic fibre in Uganda.