Twitter has formally requested that Microsoft disclose information regarding its usage of Twitter's API over the past two years. The letter, sent to Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella and dated Thursday, asks for details on Twitter content currently held by Microsoft and records describing how the tech giant used Twitter's API. This comes after public criticism from Elon Musk concerning Microsoft's investments in ChatGPT creator OpenAI.
A representative for Microsoft confirmed receipt of the letter, which included questions about previous use of the free Twitter API. In April, Microsoft announced it would remove Twitter from a specific advertising product, meaning users could no longer access their accounts through this social-media management tool.
Twitter is accusing Microsoft of unauthorized data usage that was never disclosed. In a letter penned by Alex Spiro, partner at Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan and attorney for Elon Musk-owned company, allegations have arisen that suggest possible violations of an agreement between both parties concerning data use restrictions.
The agreement prohibits excessive utilization of programming interfaces provided by Twitter; however, account information from one particular service using such data appears to state intentions to allow customers "go around throttling limits." While recognizing receipt of this correspondence, a spokesperson for Microsoft told CNBC they intend to review the contents and "respond appropriately."
Elon Musk has been critical towards what he perceives as close ties between OpenAI (the organization behind chatbot ChatGPT) and software behemoth Microsoft. As tensions escalate in recent months following these criticisms from Musk – including those directed at investments made into Open AI – Nadella countered his claims during an interview with CNBC’s Andrew Ross Sorkin.