In a recent development, X has raised eyebrows with its updated privacy policy, which was first observed by Bloomberg earlier this week. The alterations reveal that the company now intends to gather not only biometric data but also users’ job and education history. However, this isn’t the sole revelation within the updated policy.
A Deeper Dive into Policy Changes
X’s policy modifications extend beyond data collection. Another section of the updated policy discloses the company’s intentions to leverage the data it accumulates along with publicly available information to enhance its machine learning and AI models.
Discovery by Tech Enthusiast
Tech enthusiasts and privacy watchdogs alike are taking note of these developments. Alex Ivanovs from Stackdiary, known for spotting noteworthy updates in tech company terms of service, has brought this revelation to light. Ivanovs’ post on the matter is generating significant attention on the Hacker News discussion forum hosted by Y Combinator.
Elon Musk’s AI Ambitions
The connection between X’s policy change and Elon Musk’s ambitions in the AI market is drawing speculation. Musk has been vocal about his involvement in xAI, a separate company with a focus on AI development. The updated policy suggests that X could serve as a data source for xAI, fueling the machine learning and AI models.
Transparency and Musk’s Response
Elon Musk has offered some clarity on the situation, indicating that the data use will be limited to “just public data, no DMs or anything private.” Previously, Musk emphasized the importance of using “public tweets” for training AI models. Despite these updates, X’s response to press inquiries has shifted from playful emojis to a more formal acknowledgment, promising further information in the near future.
X’s updated privacy policy has set off alarms among users and tech enthusiasts due to its expanded data collection and utilization practices. The link between these changes and Elon Musk’s AI ventures adds intrigue to the situation, raising questions about the privacy and ethical considerations surrounding the use of public data in machine learning and AI development. Musk’s clarification on the scope of data usage provides some reassurance but also underscores the ongoing debate over data privacy and AI advancements.
