Musk’s X plans to collect biometric data and employment information

According to the company’s privacy policy, the social media network X, formerly known as Twitter, will begin collecting the biometric and employment data of its members.

According to X, the modifications have not yet been put into practise and will do so on September 29.

The company’s recently updated privacy policy, which describes how it gathers and uses user data, now states that it may keep and utilise biometric data “for safety, security, and identification purposes.”

It’s unclear how X plans to make use of user biometric data.

Biometrics, such fingerprint and facial scans, are frequently used by platforms to verify users’ identities when they sign in or, in the instance of a bank or payment provider, when they conduct a transaction.

Theoretically, by asking people to switch on their camera, X might gather biometric data from them through their images or videos. However, it hasn’t yet specified how the system will operate.

According to the firm, it may also gather and use information on people’s interests and employment history in order to provide career recommendations, potentially placing the app in a position to take on LinkedIn, which is controlled by Microsoft.

“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,” X said in its updated privacy policy.

When approached by CNBC, X was unable to comment right away.

Under Musk, X has sought to expand its reach into industries including financial services and recruitment in addition to social media, messaging, and audio content.

According to Bloomberg News, the business apparently bought Laskie, a hiring tool, last year. It was Musk’s first acquisition following his acquisition of Twitter for $44 billion in 2022.

Musk no longer serves as the CEO of X; in June, he nominated Linda Yaccarino, a former NBC Universal Chairman of Advertising and Partnerships, to the role.

Users will be able to browse and trade stocks via eToro’s online and mobile apps thanks to a contract that X and the Israeli stock trading app eToro struck in April. EToro recently stated that it wants to expand the partnership.

In an effort to launch its own payment functionality, X has also been acquiring money transmitter licences in a number of U.S. states. The software company Confinity and X.com, an early online bank both founded by the billionaire, merged to form PayPal, which Musk co-founded.