X and partners to use your data for AI training from Nov 15

The discussion about data usage rights especially with regards to training AI language models have been an ongoing one. While more awareness have been created about this issue, many social media users are still unaware that their posts - images, video and other content formals - are being fed into AI engines for training. X (formerly Twitter) has now provided further clarifications of its terms to clearly show that that its platform users consent to letting their posts or other content be used for AI training.

The kickoff date for this massive change has been slated for November 15. Between now and then, ever user of the X platform needs to understand that by using the platform, they have given full permission to allow their content be used in AI training. The permission covers both use of such data by X and also its partners.

X is already using your data for AI training

You do not have to be surprised if you see an AI image generator comes up with a version of what looks like your original picture. Before these social media platforms started making and updating terms to indicate they are using your data for AI training, there have been fingers pointing at and accusing them of doing so. As the issues became a topic for discussion in the mainstream, they started updating their terms. Of course these social media platforms like X are eager to avoid expensive lawsuits relating to unauthorized use of personal data for AI training.

X was among the earliest to quickly update their service terms to inform users that their data could be used for AI training. It was not really obvious how much data and in what forms are to be used. So they have seen the need to make it a bit more clear what they intend to do with user data for AI training. Hence this new update of service terms make it explicitly clear that all data from posts could be used for AI training. Below is the first aspect:

You agree that this license includes the right for us to (i) analyze text and other information you provide and to otherwise provide, promote, and improve the Services, including, for example, for use with and training of our machine learning and artificial intelligence models, whether generative or another type source

X is definitely doing business with user data although the above sounds like they are just trying to make the platform better by using your data. X AI language models provide premium services for users of the platform. Thus they are to be trained to serve up as much data as they are fed it. So X will be needing lots of user generated content to train its models. Each time you open the app or access X from the desktop version, you have in essence agreed to the terms as updated above.

Of course, X is also trying to avoid any legal battles that may arise in the future with its AI training and user content on the platform. This updated terms provide a legal framework within which it could have the protection to train its AI with user data. As such, no user on the platform could take legal action in the future if they find out that their data is being used to train any AI models.

X also realizes that it has partners that are doing business with the platform. These partners also buy user content from X in order to train their own AI language models. X therefore has to update its user agreement to cover this aspect which was not initially included in the present agreement. Lets talk about that in the next section

X partners to receive user data

So another part of the updated terms that will take effect in November concerns third-party businesses that have partnered X. Some of them also have their own AI models and require data to train them. They will definitely be getting this user data from X. So the platform has included this in the new terms so that its users are aware that their data could be sold to other businesses who may in turn use them for AI language training.

We may share or disclose your information with third parties. If you do not opt out, in some instances the recipients of the information may use it for their own independent purposes in addition to those stated in X’s Privacy Policy, including, for example, to train their artificial intelligence models, whether generative or otherwise. source

So as a user, you must be fully aware that not just Grok or other AI owned by X could be fed with your personal data. If X partners wish to do so, they might get or be sold content you publish on X and they are free under the above terms to use it for AI development and training.

What it means for users

With these updated terms, X users now need to use the platform more consciously now than ever. The basic fundamentals of internet browser is where we are going back to - do not share online anything you cannot afford to make public. Once you publish any post on X, it simply means its data you can allow to be used for AI training - at least from November 15, 2024.

Thumbnail from Pixabay

Posted Using InLeo Alpha