X will collect biometric data from its premium users

The social media site X announced that it will collect premium users’ biometric data for security and identification purposes.

The social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter) has updated its privacy policy informing its premium users that the company will collect their biometric data to curb fraud and prevent impersonation.

Bloomberg first reported the news and confirmed that the change will only impact premium users. The news was also reported by TheHackerNews.

“Basically, certain information is necessary if you want to use many of our products and services.” reads the updated privacy policy. “Biometric Information. Based on your consent, we may collect and use your biometric information for safety, security, and identification purposes.”

The company told Bloomberg that users can be identified by providing a government ID or a picture for identity matching, or using biometric data.

However, the policy doesn’t include any details about the processes that the company will adopt to collect and retain these data.

X also announced that it may collect and use your Job Applications / Recommendations (such as your employment history, educational history, employment preferences, skills and abilities, job search activity and engagement, and so on). The social media platform will use the data to recommend potential jobs to the users, to share with potential employers when you apply for a job, to enable employers to find potential candidates, and to show users more relevant advertising.

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Pierluigi Paganini

(SecurityAffairs – hacking, Twitter)