According to Twitter’s internal archives, the FBI has previously collaborated with the Twitter staff to monitor and report suspicious accounts and material.
According to the FBI’s response to Twitter Files, the bureau routinely notifies Twitter staff about accounts that “may” violate the platform’s rules.
According to the FBI sources quoted by Fox News, the bureau did not tell Twitter workers to “take action” based on the supplied evidence but instead offered it so that the employees could make their judgment.
The FBI has released a statement saying, “We are releasing it so that they may take whatever action they consider appropriate under their terms of service” to safeguard the platform and its users.
In the sixth chapter of the Twitter Files, writer and journalist Matt Taibbi disclosed several confidential documents containing communications between Twitter employees and FBI investigators.
“Dear Followers & Following on Twitter, The FBI San Francisco believes the following accounts are making improper use of Twitter and is providing you with this information in case you want to take action.” On November 10th, this was mentioned in an internal FBI communication.
A member of the FBI has emailed a list of potential Twitter accounts that are breaking the rules.
A Twitter representative responded that three of the four accounts had been suspended. Another Twitter worker had been instructed to investigate the fourth account, which the FBI had warned of “potential civic disinformation.”
An account tweeted, “I want to remind republicans to vote tomorrow, Wednesday, November 9th,” as reported by Taibbi.
A representative from the FBI’s San Francisco “Public Sector Engagement Squad” allegedly warned Twitter of “account conduct” that “may reflect breaches of Twitter’s Terms of Service,” as stated in one of the emails revealed by Taibbi.
A copy of this tweet was also sent to the FBI: “Electors in the United States, please cast your ballots today. On November 9th, I ask that you seriously consider casting your ballot for the Democrats.”
“One individual stated in her posts that she is a ballot counter in her state,” the FBI agent said in an email. “For every awful remark on this forum, I’m adding another vote for the Democrats.”
In a tweet, the individual identified themselves as a ballot counter, drawing laughter from Taibbi.
An email obtained by reporter Michael Shellenberger from former Twitter Deputy General Counsel Jim Baker boasts that the firm received $3,415,323 from the FBI.
“In case you were wondering, Jim, SCALE has started paying us back for the legal actions we were a part of on behalf of the FBI. Twitter could have demanded payment from the FBI before the program began, but it decided against doing so.” X, who used to work at Twitter, wrote this. “Our overall sales for October 2019 amounted to $3,415,323. L.P. allocates these funds toward the TTR and other LE-related endeavors (including but not limited to training and equipment).”
An FBI agent confirmed that the bureau did pay a substantial sum to Twitter. However, they said the price tag was warranted since it would be used to pay for “fair fees and expenditures linked with their response to a judicial proceeding” and “for complying with legal duties.”
When asked if the FBI reimburses Twitter, a representative answered, “We don’t primarily compensate Twitter.” The FBI has reportedly invested in other social media networks through financial sponsorship, as this statement claims.
According to the FBI’s spokesperson on Fox News: “The FBI’s communication with Twitter is typical of the continual interaction between the government and the private sector and a wide variety of enterprises across a wide range of sectors. The letters are an example of the FBI’s cooperative efforts with the business community to enhance the security of both entities.”
“Every day, FBI agents put their lives in danger to protect the citizens of the United States. Unfortunately, certain people are trying to destroy the organization by spreading misleading information to the American public.” This is the word from authority.