X to Collect Biometrics of Premium Users for Enhanced Security

X (former Twitter) has made a significant update to its privacy policy. The company has announced its plans to collect biometric data and personal information of users for safety, security, and identification purposes. This move is set to take effect on 29th September, especially for users who have subscribed to the premium service of the platform.

This revised privacy policy of X is anticipated to collect biometric information if users provide their consent. Along with biometrics, the platform might also collect data such as users' job histories and educational backgrounds.

This new development of the platform has raised legitimate concerns among its users, specifically regarding the collection of biometrics. This kind of information of an individual is considered highly sensitive as it is considered for their unique identification. Access to such data makes them a potential target for cybercriminals who seek to commit identity theft or other illicit activities.

In terms of collecting biometric data, X will require its premium users to submit their government-issued identification and a selfie. However it is noteworthy that this decision of X to collect such sensitive data follows a legal controversy earlier this year.

In awake of the allegations put during the lawsuit X has clarified that the collected biometric data will be used to create a unique identifier for each user, primarily for matching purposes. According to the company, this measure will enhance users' security by combating impersonation attempts and ensuring that their accounts are tied to real individuals.

Apart from that the additionally collected data related to job histories and educational background will be used for various purposes such as recommending potential jobs, sharing user data with potential employers during job applications, assisting employers to find suitable candidates, and delivering more relevant advertising according to X.

As the social media platform X continues to make these significant changes in their privacy policy, users are encouraged to review their settings, exercise their privacy preferences, and make informed decisions regarding their data sharing on the platform.

Users who are concerned about these changes have several other options to consider. They can choose not to provide their biometric data or their job and education history. Alternatively, they can also opt to delete their account and explore alternative platforms.