Twitter (now operating under the new name “X”) has recently updated its privacy policy to incorporate the use of user data for the purpose of training its AI models. This development has raised some concerns about the nature and extent of data that X intends to collect and use, as well as the potential risks to users’ privacy.
According to the updated privacy policy, X may collect the following data from users:
- Publicly available information, such as tweets, likes, and follows
- Biometric information, such as facial recognition data
- Job history
- Educational background
- Other information that users voluntarily provide, such as their email address or phone number
X states that it will use this data to train its AI models to improve the following features:
- Content moderation
- Spam detection
- Recommendations
- Safety and security features
X has also stated that it will not use users’ private data, such as direct messages (DMs), for training its AI models. However, some experts have expressed concerns that this distinction may be difficult to enforce in practice.
The potential risks to users’ privacy from X’s data collection practices include:
- Identity theft
- Financial fraud
- Discrimination
- Data breaches
Users who are concerned about their privacy can take the following steps to protect themselves:
- Review X’s privacy policy carefully and make sure you understand how your data will be used.
- Opt out of any data collection that you are not comfortable with.
- Use a strong password and two-factor authentication to protect your account.
- Be careful about what information you share on Twitter.
It is important to note that X is still under new ownership and it is unclear how the company’s data collection practices will evolve in the future. Users should continue to monitor X’s privacy practices and take steps to protect their privacy as needed.
