What is the 2022 FTC order that X wants to change?

The order imposes privacy oversight restrictions on X that Musk agreed to accept when he bought Twitter. The body does not detail the specific restrictions, only that X argues its transformation justifies terminating or modifying it.

Why do advocates say X's legal argument is weak?

Advocates claim the two cases X cited to justify the change do not actually support its position: one order ended after 20 years under a sunset policy, and the other was modified only after 16 years of compliance. X's order is merely four years old, making these precedents inapplicable.

What privacy investigation is X currently facing?

X is under investigation for unauthorized collection of European users' data to train its Grok AI model without valid GDPR consent, according to advocates cited in the article.

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X challenges FTC order over Grok AI training; advocates warn privacy risks

Ars Technica AI2d ago5 min read

Key takeaway

X is petitioning the FTC to terminate or modify its 2022 consent order governing privacy practices, with support from former Attorney General William Barr. Privacy advocates warn that the company—still operating the same social media platform and collecting user data for ads, now with new uses in its Grok AI business—requires continued FTC oversight, particularly after an ongoing investigation into unauthorized collection of European users' data for AI training without proper consent.

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3 Key Points

What happened
X is seeking to terminate or modify its FTC consent order, arguing that the company's transformation under Musk's ownership means it should not be bound by restrictions imposed in 2022. Former US Attorney General William Barr has submitted comments supporting X's petition, calling hundreds of FTC information demands excessive and urging the agency to reconsider whether the order's scope is appropriate.
Why it matters
Privacy advocates counter that X remains fundamentally unchanged—still operating as a social media platform and collecting user data for targeted advertising—while now pursuing new AI uses for consumer information through Grok. The 2022 order's oversight is more vital than ever, they argue, especially given X's current investigation into unauthorized collection of European users' data to train Grok without valid GDPR consent.
What to watch
Advocates claim X's legal analysis is misleading. They point out that the two cases X cited do not support its argument: one order was terminated by a 20-year sunset policy, the other modified only after 16 years of compliance. By contrast, X's order is merely four years old, and Musk explicitly agreed to accept the costs and comply with it when he bought Twitter.

FAQ

What is the 2022 FTC order that X wants to change?: The order imposes privacy oversight restrictions on X that Musk agreed to accept when he bought Twitter. The body does not detail the specific restrictions, only that X argues its transformation justifies terminating or modifying it.
Why do advocates say X's legal argument is weak?: Advocates claim the two cases X cited to justify the change do not actually support its position: one order ended after 20 years under a sunset policy, and the other was modified only after 16 years of compliance. X's order is merely four years old, making these precedents inapplicable.
What privacy investigation is X currently facing?: X is under investigation for unauthorized collection of European users' data to train its Grok AI model without valid GDPR consent, according to advocates cited in the article.

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