X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, is facing a backlash from users and privacy advocates over its new privacy policy, which will allow it to collect more user data, including biometric information and personal backgrounds.
The new policy, which will take effect on September 29, 2023, states that X will collect data such as face, voice, fingerprint, iris, and palm scans, as well as education, employment, and professional history from its users. The company says it will use the data for various purposes, such as safety, security, identification, advertising, and machine learning.
However, many users and experts are concerned about the implications of such data collection and how it will be used by X and third parties. They fear that the data could be used for surveillance, discrimination, and manipulation, and that it could expose users to potential breaches and hacks.
“This is a massive expansion of the amount of data that X collects from its users. It raises serious questions about why they need this information and how they will use it.” said Jennifer Granick, surveillance and cybersecurity counsel at the American Civil Liberties Union.
“X’s new privacy policy is a blatant violation of users’ rights and privacy. It exposes them to potential surveillance, discrimination, and manipulation by X and third parties.” said Ravi Naik, co-founder and legal director of AWO, a data rights agency.
Some users have also expressed their frustration and anger on X itself, using hashtags such as #BoycottX and #DeleteX. They have also called for more transparency and accountability from the company.
X has defended its new privacy policy, saying that it is committed to protecting user privacy and security. The company claims that it uses state-of-the-art encryption and security measures to safeguard user data, and that it does not sell user data to anyone. It also says that it only shares user data with user consent or when required by law.
“We want to make X the best place for you to connect with others and express yourself. To do that, we need to understand more about you and how you use our service.” X said in its announcement of the new privacy policy.
X is owned by Elon Musk, who has previously warned about the dangers of artificial intelligence but also launched his own A.I. firm called OpenAI. He has not commented on the controversy surrounding X’s new privacy policy.
Relevant articles:
– Elon Musk’s X now wants your biometric data, as well as your job and education history for ‘safety, security, and identification purposes’, AOL, August 31, 2023
– X plans to collect users’ biometric data, along with education and job history, TechCrunch, August 31, 2023
– X wants permission to start collecting your biometric data and employment history, The Verge, August 31, 2023
– X’s new privacy policy allows it to collect users’ biometric data, CBS News, August 31, 2023
What are you suggesting? What are we post to do?