Senator Ed Markey of Massachusetts chastised Elon Musk on Sunday after the billionaire had a snarky response to the lawmaker’s request for information about Twitter’s new verification policies. “Perhaps it is because your real account sounds like a parody?” Musk Tweet Sunday morning after Markey shared a recent letter he sent criticizing the company’s new $8 per month Twitter Blue Subscription. “And why does your pp have a mask!?” Musk A few hours later, the file was added, referring to Markey’s profile picture, which shows the senator wearing a face covering.
Your company is covered by an FTC consent order. The NHTSA, an auto safety watchdog, is currently investigating another company for the murder of people. And you’re spending your time picking fights online. Fix your companies. Or Congress will. https://t.co/lE178gPRoM
— Ed Markey (@SenMarkey) November 13, 2022
Markey wasn’t impressed by Musk’s response. “One of your companies is under an FTC consent decree. NHTSA, the auto safety watchdog is currently investigating another case of killing people. And you’re spending your time picking fights online,” He said. “Fix your companies. Or Congress will.”
Markey wrote the letter that prompted the November 11th exchange. Markey wrote to Musk asking him to explain. The Washington PostHe was able to create an impersonating verified account and why an official popup informed Twitter users that the verification was due a role in government. Musk has until November 25th for those and other questions to be answered in writing.
Twitter Verification of accounts with suspended paymentsIt launched its Blue subscription less than two days later. Trolls took advantage of the service to impersonate celebrities, politicians, and brands. It was not yet available. One account claimed to be LeBron Jams, claiming that the NBA star had been stolen. RequestedLos Angeles Lakers traded the stock. Another one wiped out the stock of the pharmaceutical firm Eli Lilly.
While there’s no certainty Markey’s warning will translate to government action, the likelihood of a regulatory response became more solid on Sunday after Democrats A Senate majority was secured. Markey is also a member the Subcommittee on Communication, Media and Broadband, which is the Senate panel most likely not to recommend any action against Twitter.
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