Jeff Bezos and Amazon executives used encrypted messaging app to talk about 'sensitive business matters,' FTC says

THE Federal Trade Commission (FTC) alleged In A THURSDAY court deposit that Amazon executives, including founder Jeff Bezos And CEO Andy Jassy, discussed "sensitive business imported" In now deleted text posts that could to have has been used as evidence In THE FTC in progress antitrust case against Amazon.

According to has THE THURSDAY deposit, senior Amazon leaders used THE crypt Signal Messaging application Since April 2019 has Can 2022 And continued has DELETE posts through THE apps disappear message functionality — even When THE FTC was investigate Amazon.

"Amazon executives deleted a lot Signal posts during The plaintiffs pre-complaint investigation, And Amazon did not educate employees has preserve Signal posts until on fifteen month After Amazon knew that The plaintiffs investigation was in progress," THE FTC wrote In THE deposit.

Amazon founder Jeff Bezos. Photo by SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images

THE FTC appointed Bezos, as GOOD as other senior executives as from Amazon high lawyer David Zapolski, as a few of THE leaders that used Signal And It is disappear posts functionality.

Related: Two of from Amazon Most Popular Prime Features Could Actually Be Illegal

THE deposit East A piece of A bigger antitrust case that kicked disabled In September When THE FTC for follow-up Amazon, accusing THE retail giant of illegally maintain A monopoly through anti-competitive practices.

Amazon replied that THE trial could negatively impact both THE consumers WHO shop on It is platform with upper prices And THE independent companies that sell some products through that.

In Thursday deposit, THE FTC request For more information about how from Amazon direction said employees has communicate on Signal, including When has to use he And if there were specific instructions about deletion messages.

Related: Amazon Used A 'Secret Algorithm' has Swell Prices by On $1 Billion, FTC Said

Amazon spokesperson Tim Doyle said Bloomberg that THE FTC allegations were "unfounded" And that Amazon disclosed It is Signal to use has THE FTC "years there is."

Doyle Also said Business Insider that "THE FTC has A complete picture of from Amazon decision making In This case including 1.7 million documents Since sources as E-mail, internal Messaging applications, And laptop (among other sources), And on 100 terabytes of data."