X’s updated privacy policy will soon allow the collection of specific users’ biometric data and personal information.
Starting September 29, X (formerly Twitter) can collect and use biometric data with user consent for safety, security, and identification purposes.
According to CBS MoneyWatch, the company confirmed that this policy applies exclusively to X Premium users.
“X will give the option to provide their Government ID, combined with a selfie, to add a verification layer. Biometric data may be extracted from both the Gov ID and the selfie image for matching purposes,” the company said. “This will additionally help us tie, for those that choose, an account to a real person by processing their Government issued ID. This is also to help X fight impersonation attempts and make the platform more secure.”
Though not explicitly defined in its policy, “biometric” generally includes automated technologies such as facial recognition, fingerprint scanning, and palm or iris scanning. These technologies authenticate and verify unique human body features.
“The announcement is at least an acknowledgment that X will be doing what other social networks have already been doing in a more covert fashion,” said Professor Stephen Wicker at Cornell University.
X’s move to collect biometric data follows its introduction of a subscription verification model earlier this year, requiring users to provide government-approved identification for a blue checkmark on their accounts. This step is aimed at combating bots and fake accounts on the platform.
The revised policy indicates that the company also intends to collect details about users’ employment and educational backgrounds.
“We may collect and use your personal information (such as your employment history, educational history, employment preferences, skills and abilities, job search activity and engagement, and so on) to recommend potential jobs for you, to share with potential employers when you apply for a job, to enable employers to find potential candidates, and to show you more relevant advertising,” the policy states.
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