Recent reports have revealed that Amazon, along with several other companies, has been accused of using encrypted messaging apps like Signal that automatically erase messages. Screenshots of a Signal chat between two Amazon executives show them discussing turning on disappearing messages. The FTC’s lawyers have identified several high-ranking Amazon executives, including Jeff Bezos and current CEO Andy Jassy, as Signal users. Bezos, in particular, is described as a heavy Signal user who encouraged others to use the app. The 2018 hacking of Bezos’ personal cellphone may have contributed to his preference for encrypted messaging.
The FTC alleges that Amazon failed to preserve messages sent through Signal after being notified of an investigation, potentially resulting in the destruction of relevant information. The FTC is seeking discovery into Amazon’s document preservation efforts to determine the extent of missing information. Despite requests for relevant documents, Amazon has reportedly refused to produce much of what was requested. If the judge determines that Amazon was negligent in failing to preserve data related to the case, the company could face sanctions. If the judge finds that the failures were intentional, the consequences could be even more severe.
The FTC’s pursuit of Amazon’s preservation of documents is essential to establishing the extent to which information may have been destroyed due to the use of encrypted messaging apps. Amazon’s failure to properly instruct employees to preserve messages sent through Signal until more than 15 months after being notified of the investigation raises concerns about the potential loss of crucial evidence. The actions and inactions of Amazon in this regard have led the FTC to question the sincerity of the company’s cooperation in the investigation.
Given the sensitive and potentially damaging nature of the information at stake, the FTC’s efforts to uncover the extent of data loss are crucial in determining the impact of Amazon’s use of encrypted messaging apps. If it is found that Amazon intentionally failed to preserve relevant information, the consequences could be severe for the company. The refusal of Amazon to produce requested documents raises further questions about the company’s transparency and cooperation in the investigation. The outcome of the judge’s decision regarding Amazon’s handling of data preservation could have far-reaching implications for the company and its executives.