Amazon founder Jeff Bezos found himself in the hot seat recently as the Federal Trade Commission bombarded him with questions about his use of the encrypted messaging app Signal and its auto-delete function. In a newly revealed transcript of his testimony, Bezos faced allegations that he and other top Amazon executives intentionally deleted Signal messages to potentially erase evidence crucial to an ongoing antitrust battle with the company.
During his 2022 testimony, Bezos admitted to occasionally using Signal for work-related matters but emphasized that he had disabled all disappearing message functions “Some number of months ago.” He clarified that his Signal usage at work is strictly limited to highly sensitive issues unrelated to the FTC investigation. When questioned about a document-preservation notice he received in relation to the FTC probe, Bezos refrained from divulging whether the notice encompassed Signal messages as well.
Despite receiving legal advice on document preservation in both 2020 and 2021, Bezos continued to utilize Signal’s disappearing messaging feature until 2022, as pointed out by the FTC lawyer. The lawyer presented Bezos with a log of Signal messages demonstrating the use of the disappearing message feature, prompting a detailed inquiry into Bezos’ communication practices, including his renowned one-question mark emailing method.
Bezos’ responses reflected a cautious stance, with the tycoon denying any use of Signal for discussing complex business matters with disappearing messages enabled. He disavowed familiarity with the one-question mark messaging practice, which could have indicated substantial company discussions via Signal. Bezos underscored his preference for phone calls over Signal for pivotal discussions, such as notifying Andy Jassy of his CEO position.
In a separate transcript, Jeff Blackburn, the former head of Amazon’s entertainment division, confessed to using Signal at work to communicate with Bezos, Jassy, Hopkins, and other colleagues. The revelations surrounding Bezos’ Signal usage shed light on the intricate web of communications within Amazon’s upper echelons, raising questions about the implications for the ongoing legal battle with the FTC.
The scrutiny surrounding Bezos’ Signal interactions underscores the importance of transparency and data preservation in high-stakes legal disputes. As one of the world’s most prominent tech figures, Bezos’ digital footprint is subject to intense scrutiny, highlighting the challenges of navigating privacy concerns and legal obligations in a digital age. The unfolding saga serves as a cautionary tale for executives navigating the intersection of technology, communication, and legal compliance in the corporate realm.
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