Twitter whistleblower Pieter “Mudge” Zatko just got a subpoena from Elon Musk - The Verge
Elon Musk’s legal team has issued a subpoena to Twitter whistleblower Peiter "Mudge" Zatko, hoping to learn more about bot activity on Twitter.
Peiter “Mudge” Zatko, the former Twitter security chief whose explosive disclosures alleged serious security flaws and misleading practices within the company, has received a subpoena to appear for a deposition in the ongoing lawsuit between Twitter and Elon Musk.
The request puts Twitter’s whistleblower at the center of Musk’s ongoing legal fight with Twitter, which he agreed to purchase in April. Musk has sought to void the deal, citing many of the same issues detailed in Zatko’s disclosures.
Zatko is scheduled to be deposed in connection with the subpoena on September 9th.
Musk’s legal team took action shortly after Zatko’s claims became public, telling reporters they were in the process of filing a subpoena as early as August 23rd. However, the documents were only officially filed on Monday, giving the request legal force and making its details public for the first time.
In an attached document (pages 11 to 14), Musk’s team details a range of documents and communications subject to the subpoena, including any materials relating to the impact of spam on Twitter’s business or referring to the notoriously troublesome mDAU figure as a “key metric.” The court will also review materials related to the end of Zatko’s employment at Twitter and his ongoing ownership of Twitter stock. Additionally, the court calls for any documents related to illegal activity by Twitter or any foreign intelligence agents employed by the company.
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