X (Formerly Twitter) Silently Trains AI on User Data, Sparks Privacy Concerns
X, the social media platform previously known as Twitter, has sparked privacy concerns by enabling a data-sharing feature by default. This feature allows X to share user data, including posts and interactions with the AI chatbot Grok, with Elon Musk’s AI company, xAI.
xAI, which develops AI tools like Grok, intends to use this user data to train and fine-tune its AI models. While Grok is currently only available to X Premium subscribers, data will be shared with xAI regardless of subscription status.
This move has raised eyebrows among privacy advocates, who argue that users should have explicit control over how their data is used. The fact that the data-sharing feature is enabled by default, and can only be disabled on the web version of X, has further fueled concerns.
X’s explanation for this feature is to “continuously improve your experience.” However, the lack of transparency about how this data will be used and shared has left many users uneasy.
Fortunately, there are steps users can take to protect their privacy. On the web version of X, users can navigate to “Settings and Privacy” > “Privacy and Safety” > “Data Sharing and Personalization” > “Grok” and uncheck the “Data Sharing” option. This will prevent their posts and Grok conversations from being used by xAI or shared with third parties.
Additionally, users can delete their conversation history with Grok, although it’s unclear whether this will prevent already generated data from being used for training.
This latest move by X highlights the growing tension between technological innovation and user privacy. As AI becomes increasingly integrated into our lives, the question of how our data is used and protected becomes even more critical. It remains to be seen whether X will address these concerns and provide users with greater control over their data.
