X (Twitter) will start requesting users’ biometric data, employment data, and educational background

Harnessing user job and educational background data, X will recommend jobs that the users are qualified for

August 31, 2023 Samson Ayodeji

X (Twitter) has sailed into uncharted territory with its new data-gathering strategy. The social networking site updated its policies to include biometric data as well as the user’s employment and educational background. X now joins a long list of businesses that are increasing their data collection capabilities.

The Elon Musk-owned platform did not specify which specifics it regarded as biometric, but it is conceivable that it will collect information from faces, eyes, and fingerprints. Looking closely at X’s new privacy statement, “Based on your consent, we may collect and use your biometric information for safety, security, and identification purposes.”

While the new biometric requirement is for identification, X will use user-provided information on their employment and educational background to offer jobs that they believe they are qualified for. According to our website, “We will put together and use your personal data (such as your employment history, educational history, employment preferences, skills and abilities, and job search activity and engagement) to recommend potential jobs for you.”

READ MORE: In light of criticism, X (Twitter) lowers the minimum creator ad revenue requirement from $50 to $10

It’s important to note that the page listed the aforementioned personal information as a requirement for using many of its goods and services. In July 2023, a class-action lawsuit was filed against X Corp. The business is charged with gathering, keeping, and using personal information on Illinois residents without their consent, according to a document.

Ironically, Elon Musk made fun of Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Meta, for the way his brand-new social media platform, Threads, collects user data. It’s interesting to note that Twitter’s former owner Jack Dorsey started by posting a screenshot of the user information that Threads planned to gather. The caption was changed to read, “All your threads belong to us.” Musk answered Dorsey with “Yeah.”

X amidst rising worries about data privacy

It’s true that the growth of social media platforms has given people more opportunities to establish their individual brands, connect with others, and learn new things. However, there has long been controversy about how these businesses gather user data. For violating EU privacy laws, a European Union regulator fined Meta €1.2 billion ($1.3 billion) in May 2023.

The regulators charged Meta with transferring the data of Facebook users in Europe to its servers in the US. The General Data Protection Regulation, which governs data privacy in the region, was broken by that move, according to the European Data Protection Board. Many eyes will be on how X expands its data-collecting policies while remaining compliant with all laws.

Since taking control, Musk has added a number of new features that are progressively transforming the microblogging service into a “Everything app.” Think about XHiring, the platform’s experimental product that aims to unseat LinkedIn as the top employment marketplace. It stated yesterday that political advertisements would be permitted on the website. More features should be anticipated given Musk’s propensity towards innovation.

Author

Samson Ayodeji

I am literally obsessed with technology. I love writing about the latest news in technology in different markets, segments and sectors across the world.

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