In a recent update to its privacy policy, billionaire Elon Musk’s platform, X, formerly known as Twitter, is set to introduce significant changes that have sparked discussions regarding user data collection and its implications. This report delves into the details of these policy modifications and their potential consequences.
What Elun Musk will Collect from You
Biometric Data Collection: The updated policy, released on Thursday, discloses X’s intention to collect biometric data from its users. This data would include facial scans and photographs of users’ faces. Importantly, this collection is limited to X Premium service subscribers. The changes are scheduled to take effect on September 29.
Employment and Education History: Apart from biometric data, the policy also outlines X’s plan to gather information regarding users’ employment and educational history.
This data will serve multiple purposes, including job recommendations, sharing with potential employers during job applications, aiding employers in finding suitable candidates, and presenting more relevant advertising.
Elon Musk’s Vision and Outlook
Elon Musk’s overarching vision for X appears to be comprehensive. He has previously hinted at introducing video and audio calling features compatible with various devices.
These features could potentially eliminate the need for traditional phone numbers. Additionally, Musk has expressed an interest in competing with job platforms like LinkedIn, emphasizing his ambition to make X an all-encompassing platform.
Implications and Speculation
Enhanced Security: X’s collection of biometric data is primarily aimed at enhancing security by thwarting impersonation attempts. Users will be able to provide government IDs and selfies for verification, with biometric data from both sources used for matching.
Recruitment Services: Speculation has arisen that X may be venturing into recruitment services, possibly as a result of its acquisition of a tech recruiting service called Laskie in May. This move marks X Corp’s first acquisition since Elon Musk’s purchase of Twitter.
Clariform Perspective: Predictions for the Trend
Looking ahead, X’s pivot towards biometric data collection and its exploration of user employment and education history suggests a multi-faceted expansion strategy.
The platform’s focus on security and user verification aligns with the broader trend of enhancing online safety.
Meanwhile, the potential move into recruitment services could position X as a more diversified platform, competing with established players in the job market.
In conclusion, the updated privacy policy indicates that X is actively evolving to encompass a broader range of features and services. These developments will likely shape X’s role in the digital landscape, with potential implications for users’ online experiences and the platform’s competitive position.
