X Goes All-In on Your Data for AI Training!

The Story: X (formerly Twitter) just rolled out significant changes to its Terms of Service, allowing the platform to use your data—including posts and interactions—to train its AI models and even share it with third parties. Users have little control over this process, as agreeing to these terms is automatic by using the app, effective November 15, 2024.

The Details:

• Starting November 15, 2024, X users consent to the use of their posts, likes, and bookmarks for AI training and can only opt-out if they live in the EU, where stricter data laws apply.

• By tapping "agree" to the updated Terms of Service, your content is legally cleared for use by X to enhance its services and AI models, even if that data lands in third-party hands.

• X's updated Privacy Policy permits sharing user data with third parties who may use it independently, essentially selling your contributions for AI training.

• The new policy allows X to retain user data for variable time frames, potentially indefinitely, depending on account activity.

• Concerns arise over a lack of clear opt-out mechanisms, raising questions about user control and privacy.

Why It Matters: X’s new terms reflect a broader trend among social media apps monetizing user data to stay afloat amidst financial downturns. For creatives and content creators, this raises critical questions about intellectual property and the implications of their work being used without explicit consent. Understanding these changes empowers professionals and could drive them to reconsider their digital platforms' choices, impacting how they protect their creations in the evolving landscape of the creator economy.