Elon Musk's lawyer, Alex Spiro, has written a letter to Microsoft accusing them of using the Twitter API for unauthorized purposes.
The letter claims that Microsoft may have violated the agreement for a long time by misusing Twitter data and sharing it with government agencies without permission. Additionally, Microsoft has allegedly used more data than allowed and refused to pay for its usage, as reported by Engadget.
Microsoft has been utilizing Twitter data through its API for various products like Xbox, Bing, and advertising tools for a long time. Nevertheless, after Twitter discontinued free access to its API, Microsoft chose to pull back from the social media website.
It eliminated Twitter from its social media management tool for advertisers. It disabled the option of uploading screenshots and clips to Twitter directly from Xbox consoles and the Game Bar on Windows. Microsoft didn't give reasons for these changes, but Twitter has been charging organizations up to $50,000 per month to access its new API.
Elon Musk responded to a tweet about Microsoft no longer using Twitter for its social media management tool by stating that they had used Twitter data illegally and he was considering a lawsuit. Additionally, Musk and Microsoft have had some issues with Musk accusing the company of controlling OpenAI.
Musk has also expressed concern about the ChatGPT creator being trained to be politically correct and is working on creating his own generative AI chatbot called "TruthGPT." He also criticized OpenAI for becoming a for-profit business after starting as a non-profit in 2015.
Read also: Elon Musk Drops Truth Bomb on Twitter: It 'Has Interfered in Elections'
Legal Action
It is not certain if legal action will result from this situation, but Twitter is asking that Microsoft investigate how their apps are using data. Twitter is requesting that Microsoft provide a report by June that details how much data is being collected, where it is stored, and how it is being used. They also want to know when Microsoft gave government organizations access to their data.
KNUTSFORD, UNITED KINGDOM APRIL 21: In this photo illustration the Twitter logo is seen on a computer screen and mobile cellphone on April 21, 2023 in Knutsford, United Kingdom. The social media company started removing large numbers of the blue verification check marks, or "blue ticks," that had historically indicated a verified account. T
The allegations made by Elon Musk's lawyer against Microsoft are serious and could potentially have legal consequences. The unauthorized use of Twitter data and sharing it with government agencies without permission violates privacy laws, which has become a growing concern in recent years as more companies collect vast amounts of personal information from users.
Protecting Users' Data
Twitter's decision to charge organizations for access to its API may have been motivated by the need to protect its users' data. This move has forced many companies like Microsoft to reevaluate their relationship with social media platforms and find alternative ways of collecting user data.
Despite these challenges, there is still tremendous value in using social media platforms like Twitter for businesses that rely on customer insights or real-time trend analysis. As such, finding ethical ways to utilize this wealth of information remains an ongoing challenge for tech giants worldwide.
Moving forward, it will be interesting to see how this situation between Microsoft and Twitter unfolds as both parties work towards resolving their differences while balancing business interests alongside user rights and privacy concerns.
Related article: Elon Musk's Cost-Cutting Measures Bring Twitter Closer to Profitability
