Elon Musk is reportedly threatening to sue Twitter employees who leak information

New Twitter CEO Elon Musk, who has described himself as an “absolutist of free speech,” is now threatening to sue his own employees who leak information to the press, according to an email he sent to employees broadcast and which was reportedly leaked to a media organization on Saturday.

Musk issued a message warning company employees against sharing “confidential” information and threatened to sue those who violate nondisclosure agreements “for damages,” according to the email from tech outlet platformer. Editor-in-Chief Zoe Schiffer then shared Musk’s message – on Twitter.

Musk asked employees to sign a promise that they understood his email and said he expects a response by 5 p.m. Saturday, Schiffer said. She didn’t post the actual email to do everything possible to protect the source, she said.

It was a dramatic reversal of Musk’s catchphrase “transparency is the key to trust” and “sunlight is the best disinfectant.”

Musk could not be immediately reached for comment.

NEW: Elon Musk threatens to sue Twitter employees who leak confidential information to the press. He asks the staff to sign a statement that they understand. Here is the email:

— Zoë Schiffer (@ZoeSchiffer) December 10, 2022

As evidenced by the many detailed leaks of confidential Twitter information, some people within our company continue to act against the company’s interests and in violation of their non-disclosure agreement. 1/

— Zoë Schiffer (@ZoeSchiffer) December 10, 2022

For once, if you are in clear and willful violation of the NDA you signed when you joined, you assume liability to the fullest extent of the law and Twitter will immediately seek damages. 2/

— Zoë Schiffer (@ZoeSchiffer) December 10, 2022

Musk says occasional gaffes are understandable, “but if you break your word by sending detailed information to the media” with intent to hurt Twitter, “you’ll get the response it deserves.”

Staff must respond by 5:00 p.m. today.

— Zoë Schiffer (@ZoeSchiffer) December 10, 2022

Last year, Tesla owners who tested a beta version of the automaker’s Full Self-Driving technology were asked to sign non-disclosure agreements to block information critical of the software from the media and the public.

The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration sent letters to Tesla complaining about the software issues — and the NDAs.

“Given that NHTSA relies on consumer reports as an important source of information in evaluating potential safety deficiencies, any agreement that might prevent or dissuade participants in the Early Access Beta Release Program is a safety concern to NHTSA.” to report is unacceptable,” the agency wrote in one of the letters from last year, Tech Crunch reported.