Elon Musk Denied Meeting with Federal Trade Commission Chair Until Twitter 'Fully' Complies With FTC Requests The FTC said Twitter has delayed producing documents and depositions.

By Gabrielle Bienasz

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

Bloomberg / Contributor I Getty Images
Elon Musk in 2023.

The Federal Trade Commission, which is investigating Twitter, declined to meet with CEO Elon Musk in late January, according to The New York Times.

"I recommend that Twitter appropriately prioritize its legal obligations to provide the requested information," chair Lina Khan wrote. "Once Twitter has fully complied with all F.T.C. requests, I will be happy to consider scheduling a meeting with Mr. Musk."

The letter, which the Times viewed, said Twitter had delayed producing documents and depositions for the agency, which is responsible for trying to protect consumers from deceitful business practices.

The agency's relationship with Twitter is marked by an investigation that ended in 2011 with the FTC settling with the company over data security practices, which included a program to protect user data the company had to implement. It was also fined $150 million in May 2022, the agency said, for breaking the terms of the agreement.

After Musk took control of Twitter in October and initiated mass layoffs, as well as other changes at the platform, the FTC became more worried about its ability to meet its agreements, per the AP.

The ongoing inquiry, per the NYT, which viewed agency emails and spoke with "people with knowledge of the matter," includes wanting Musk to sit down for a deposition.

Khan also said in her late January letter she was "troubled by Twitter's delays and the obstacles that these delays are creating for the F.T.C.'s investigation."

Related: 'A Serious Concern': Journalist Paints a Harrowing Picture of What's to Come With Twitter Blue After Her Account Is Cloned

Musk railed against the agency in March when he attacked the agency for asking for information about the journalists who could view company internal communications, i.e., the "Twitter files," per the WSJ.

Leaders of companies under investigation by the FTC have met with the agency to help reassure the regulator about compliance, but it's not frequent, the NYT noted.
Wavy Line
Gabrielle Bienasz is a staff writer at Entrepreneur. She previously worked at Insider and Inc. Magazine. 

Editor's Pick

A Father Decided to Change When He Was in Prison on His Son's Birthday. Now His Nonprofit Helps Formerly Incarcerated Applicants Land 6-Figure Jobs.
Lock
A Teen Turned His Roblox Side Hustle Into a Multimillion-Dollar Company — Now He's Working With Karlie Kloss and Elton John
Lock
3 Mundane Tasks You Should Automate to Save Your Brain for the Big Stuff
Lock
The Next Time Someone Intimidates You, Here's What You Should Do
5 Ways to Manage Your Mental Health and Regulate Your Nervous System for Sustainable Success

Related Topics

Business News

After Being Told They Could Work From Home Forever, Employees Made Major Life Changes. Then, a New CEO Ordered Them Back to the Office.

Farmers Group CEO Raul Vargas is facing backlash for the change, but he says being in the office brings more "collaboration" and "innovation."

Business Ideas

The 13 Best Jobs for People With ADHD

Want to find the perfect profession as a person with ADHD? Check out this review of the best jobs for people with ADHD if you need ideas.

Business News

Pete Davidson Says He's 'Figuring It Out' After Buying a $280,000 Boat While 'Very Stoned'

The former "Saturday Night Live" star purchased a used Staten Island Ferry with Colin Jost in January 2022.

Starting a Business

Free Event | June 27: Get the Answers to Your Solopreneur Challenges

Running a one person business is challenging, but we're here to help you. Tune into our video series, Solopreneur Office Hours, as our expert, Terry Rice, answers your most pressing questions.

Business News

Hedge Fund Pays NYC Interns $20,000 a Month on Average, Sent to Lavish Palm Beach Kickoff

Citadel is known for its over-the-top parties and company retreats.