X (formerly called Twitter), in its updated privacy policy, seeks to collect users’ biometric data and other personal information such as employment and education history, with their consent.
Under the revised policy which takes effect on September 29, X will request users biometric information, a move the company disclosed will help to make the platform better and enhance users experience. This feature is for only X premium users.
In its updated privacy Policy, the company wrote,
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“Based on your consent, we may collect and use your biometric information for safety, security, and identification purposes.
“We may collect and use your personal information (such as your employment history, educational history, employment preferences, skills and abilities, job search activity and engagement, and so on) to recommend potential jobs for you, to share with potential employers when you apply for a job, to enable employers to find potential candidates, and to show you more relevant advertising.
“Device Information. We collect information from and about the devices you use to access X, including Information about your connection, such as your IP address, browser type, and related information. Information about your device and its settings, such as device and advertising ID, operating system, carrier, language memory, apps installed, and battery level. Your device address book, if you’ve chosen to share it with us.
“Location Information. When you use X, we collect some information about your approximate location to provide the service you expect, including showing you relevant ads. You can also choose to share your current precise location or places where you’ve previously used X by enabling these settings in your account.”
X has noted that users are in charge of whatever data they choose to give out, as no data will be collected without their consent. Users can assess, review, delete, or change their settings. Basically, they are the boss.
In a response to a Tweet that X’s updated Privacy Policy intends to use users’ data to train AI models, the company’s CEO Elon Musk debunked the news while stating that users’ data demanded are public data, not DMs or anything private, without any sinister intention.
A look at X updated policy shows the platform is set to enhance users’ experience. The company seeks to use information collected to improve and personalize products and services so that users can have a better experience, including by showing them more relevant content and ads, suggesting people and topics to follow, enabling and helping them discover affiliates.
This privacy policy has been poised to be a game changer for users on the platform. The recent expanding services of X are part of Musk’s ambition to turn the platform into an “everything app”, capable of not only posting but also for job searches and making payments, amongst others.