Elon Musk-owned social media platform, X (formerly Twitter), has unveiled significant changes to its privacy policy, allowing third-party collaborators to harness user data for training their AI models. This revision follows trends set by platforms like Reddit, which have begun licensing data to AI organizations as a new potential revenue source.
The updated Privacy Policy of X provides intricate details on how user data can be used. One key feature of this new policy is the inclusion of an opt-out option. However, it remains unclear where users can locate this setting to prevent sharing of their data. This policy change is set to come into effect from November 15.
According to the revised policy, user information may be shared with third-party entities, potentially for their independent purposes, such as training AI models. This will be dependent on the user’s settings or if the users choose to share their data. A potential opt-out option is set to be introduced for users who prefer their data not to be utilized by third parties.
In addition to these changes, X has also redefined its data retention policy. The platform now states that it will store different types of information for varying lengths of time. This will depend on multiple factors, including legal requirements and considerations pertaining to safety and security.
In an intriguing move, a new “Liquidated Damages” section has been introduced in X’s Terms of Service. This section states that any organization scraping its content will be held liable for damages. This development comes in the wake of advertiser withdrawals and boycotts and can potentially be viewed as an attempt to monetize X data.
The modifications in X’s privacy policy and terms of service reflect a strategic shift towards data monetization and third-party collaboration. The implications of these changes on user privacy and data security will be worth monitoring in the coming months.