X to Use Your Data for AI Training: Opt-Out by November 15!
Published On: October 20, 2024
Elon Musk's X, formerly known as Twitter, is set to allow third-party companies to use users' data for training AI models. This update, effective November 15, 2024, means that user interactions—posts, likes, bookmarks, and more—could soon be harnessed by AI companies unless users proactively opt-out. While this policy follows X's earlier use of user data for their chatbot, Grok, it now extends this capability to other firms, sparking discussions about the balance between monetizing user data and privacy concerns.
With advertising revenue struggling, X is joining the trend of social media platforms like Reddit and Meta, seeking new ways to generate income. By licensing user data to AI companies, X opens a lucrative revenue stream, though it comes at a potential cost to user privacy. Experts warn that allowing AI models access to such vast amounts of data raises serious questions about consent, especially since social media posts often contain rich emotional and behavioral insights that AI companies are keen to exploit.
Despite the opt-out option, many users might not fully grasp the implications of their data being used this way. Once AI models are trained on this data, there’s no reversing it. Even if a user opts out after the fact, their past data remains embedded in the algorithms. This permanent use of data is part of the larger concern, especially in regions like Europe, where X has already faced regulatory scrutiny.
How do I keep my information private?
To maintain your privacy on X, you will need to manually opt out of the new data-sharing policy before it takes effect. Although X has yet to provide specific instructions, the opt-out is likely to be under the "Privacy and Safety" settings, where you can adjust data-sharing permissions with business partners. Keep an eye on your settings as the November 15 date approaches, and make sure you toggle the appropriate options to prevent your data from being used by third-party AI companies. However, be aware that once your data has been used, it cannot be removed from AI training models.