Twitter ‘mistakenly’ used personal details to customise adverts
Twitter has claimed it mistakenly misused phone numbers and emails provided by users for security purposes to target adverts at them.
In the latest example of tech companies misusing people’s data to make a profit, Twitter said security details “may have inadvertently been used for advertising purposes”.
Users provide their details for additional security and protection such as two-factor authentication. But instead, it turns out, the data was also used to make more money for Twitter and its shareholders.
The company won’t say how many people have been affected.
“When an advertiser uploaded their marketing list, we may have matched people on Twitter to their list based on the email or phone number the Twitter account holder provided for safety and security purposes,” Twitter said in a statement.
“This was an error and we apologise.”