A former Twitter security chief, Alan Rosa, has recently filed a lawsuit against X, claiming that he was wrongfully terminated for raising objections to cost-cutting measures implemented after the company was acquired by Elon Musk. This article delves into the details of the lawsuit and sheds light on the alleged actions taken by Musk and his advisor, Steve Davis, that led to Rosa’s termination.
Rosa’s attorneys filed the complaint late Tuesday in U.S. District Court for New Jersey, naming X, Musk, and Davis as defendants. As the global head of security, information technology, and privacy at Twitter, Rosa was responsible for overseeing a team of 500 employees based throughout the United States. According to Rosa, his termination was a result of the extensive cost-cutting initiatives executed by Musk following his $44 billion acquisition of the company, rebranding it as X.
The lawsuit alleges that Davis, following instructions from Musk, implemented several cost-cutting measures that Rosa believed would compromise the company’s ability to comply with various obligations and regulations. This includes a Federal Trade Commission (FTC) consent decree and the Digital Services Act (DSA) enacted by the European Commission. Failure to comply with the DSA can lead to penalties of up to 6% of annual sales. Rosa claims that Davis wanted to halt payments for essential software programs such as the “HackerOne” ethical hacking program and vulnerability management software, both of which were crucial for Twitter to meet its obligations under the FTC Consent Decree.
Davis also allegedly directed Rosa to terminate the use of Salesforce, a software that contained crucial data necessary for sharing with law enforcement. This decision, according to Rosa, violated the DSA and compromised the company’s ability to handle law enforcement inquiries effectively. Furthermore, Davis ordered a significant 50% budget cut to physical security, posing a potential danger to public safety. The lawsuit highlights that the building’s security, which Rosa had to reduce immediately, stored over 800 laptops and electronic devices subject to litigation holds, making their preservation vital.
According to Rosa’s claims, he was terminated just a few days after expressing his objections to these actions. He vehemently denies any wrongdoing that would justify his termination. Moreover, he alleges that X initiated a “sham investigation” into his workplace conduct, seemingly as an attempt to deprive him of his severance package. Despite agreeing to arbitration initially, X has failed to pay its portion of the arbitration fees, leading Rosa to file a complaint seeking relief for compensatory and punitive damages.
Rosa’s lawyers argue that X’s actions violated various employee-related laws, including the New Jersey Conscientious Employee Protection Act, New York and California labor rules, and the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act. These laws aim to protect employees from retaliation when voicing concerns and to ensure fair treatment during termination. The lawsuit sheds light on a broader trend of former Twitter employees filing lawsuits against the company, alleging violations of labor laws and improper employee treatment in the aftermath of Musk’s acquisition.
The lawsuit filed by Alan Rosa against X, Elon Musk, and Steve Davis reveals alarming details regarding the alleged cost-cutting measures and actions taken by Musk’s advisor that resulted in Rosa’s termination. It sheds light on potential violations of employee-related laws and the detrimental impact these actions may have had on Twitter’s ability to comply with crucial obligations and regulations. Rosa seeks justice for his termination and hopes to bring attention to the issue of fair treatment and labor law compliance within tech companies. As the legal proceedings unfold, the outcome of the lawsuit may have significant implications for both current and former Twitter employees.