Twitter owner Elon Musk has reportedly declared war on internal leakers, according to, ironically enough, a newly leaked internal memo.
Leaked on Saturday to Zoë Schiffer of Platformer, the memo warns employees of stern consequences if they’re caught leaking internal letters/memos to the media.
“As evidenced by the many detailed leaks of confidential Twitter information, a few people at our company continue to act in a manner contrary to the company’s interests and in violation of their NDA,” the memo reads.
“This will be said only once: If you clearly and deliberately violate the NDA that you signed when you joined, you accept liability to the full extent of the law & Twitter will immediately seek damages,” it continues.
According to Schiffer, Musk adds in the memo that accidental slip-ups are OK “but breaking your word by sending detail info to the media” with an intent to harm Twitter “will receive the response it deserves.”
Look:
NEW: Elon Musk is threatening to sue Twitter employees who leak confidential information to the press. He’s asking staffers to sign a pledge indicating they’ve understood. Here’s the email:
— Zoë Schiffer (@ZoeSchiffer) December 10, 2022
As evidenced by the many detailed leaks of confidential Twitter information, a few people at our company continue to act in a manner contrary to the company’s interests and in violation of their NDA. 1/
— Zoë Schiffer (@ZoeSchiffer) December 10, 2022
This will be said only once: If you clearly and deliberately violate the NDA that you signed when you joined, you accept liability to the full extent of the law & Twitter will immediately seek damages. 2/
— Zoë Schiffer (@ZoeSchiffer) December 10, 2022
Musk says occasional slip ups are understandable “but breaking your word by sending detailed info to the media” with the intent to harm Twitter “will receive the response it deserves.”
Employees have by 5pm today to respond.
— Zoë Schiffer (@ZoeSchiffer) December 10, 2022
(I am choosing not to post the actual email as it’s clear Twitter is doing everything it can to catch sources)
— Zoë Schiffer (@ZoeSchiffer) December 10, 2022
This leak came only a day after the publication of the first installment of part three of the “Twitter Files.”
As reported previously, the latest batch delves into the events preceding the infamous Jan. 8th, 2021 de-platforming of former President Donald Trump.
Musk’s goal with the release of the “Twitter Files” has been to provide transparency regarding Twitter’s sordid history of censoring and silencing conservatives.
However, critics say that the billionaire Twitter owner’s attacks on leakers is proof that he doesn’t really care about transparency:
@elonmusk what happened to your full transparency pledge?
— Shane Holmberg (@shane_holmberg) December 10, 2022
Elon: “Transarency for me and not for thee.”
— Cindy McNary #LFGSD (@Nadomom) December 10, 2022
Real free speech absolutist there. The great champion of transparency. He really is a raging dildo of a human.
— Big Mick (@mayormccheezel) December 10, 2022
Because it isn’t about transparency. He picked @mtaibbi and @bariweiss because they would release dirt that helps his narrative and hide anything that didn’t, because they are pushing the same narrative.
Transparency would let Bob Woodward or Propublica in.
This is a show.
— ciretose (@ciretose1) December 10, 2022
— Zoë Schiffer (@ZoeSchiffer) December 10, 2022
But Musk’s defenders say that Musk’s goal of transparency has nothing to do with employees being reminded that they all signed a non-disclosure agreement.
After all, they say, NDAs are standard practice in many industries, as every company has trade secrets that it’d like to keep in-house.
“NDA is a standard practice. Trade secrets are a competitive edge. It is how companies keep business and are able to pay employees,” one supporter tweeted.
Look:
If you don’t want to sign an NDA, get another job. Simple
— Earthbound Misfit (@RC_in_OC) December 10, 2022
I agree with @elonmusk … “transparency” is not the issue here… it’s employees, with their own agenda, that cherry-pick a few unflattering items, yet fail to mention the positives. Bias runs deep in the mass of sleeping employees that were awakened with a bucket of ice water!
— Wayne Dunn (@Trevil496) December 10, 2022
@elonmusk words seems very reasonable to me! It’s his company %, if he wants to share the content of a Post-It, he can, at his enjoyment. However, employees that signed NDA, or even those that haven’t but value having a job there, cannot. Pretty simple.
— Daryl Hammond (@UndrtkrPatriot) December 10, 2022
As the owner of that business and since you waived your right to privacy under Twitters T&C under Jack then it is right to do so. However as an employee who signed a NDA you are required not to as per the terms and conditions of your employment. It’s not difficult to understand
— Reality Check (@RealityCheck9O) December 10, 2022
NDA is a standard practice. Trade secrets are a competitive edge. It is how companies keep business and are able to pay employees. E.G. re the Twitter Files themselves, readership on Twitter is higher than it would have been if released elsewhere. Wd it have been right to leak?
— Tate Scott (@TateScott1) December 10, 2022
Musk also faces criticism over the selective way in which the “Twitter Files” are being released.
“By releasing these internal documents selectively, Musk gets to be on the offensive, whipping up a crowd that’s eager to cry censorship and shadowbanning. He’s not even interested in paying attention to the details,” Charlie Warzel writes at The Atlantic.
“As the first mega-thread dropped, last weekend, Musk admitted that he hadn’t actually looked at the files yet—although that didn’t stop him from making boneheaded statements, like suggesting that its contents proved a large-scale First Amendment violation,” he adds.
Note that criticism of Musk is coming entirely from the left, including from the left-wing establishment media.
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