If you are still on the social media platform as of November 15, X may broadcast your tweets, photos and videos on its platform. Grok AI chatbot.
“By submitting, posting, or displaying content on or through (X),” the terms of service state, you grant it the right “to analyze the text and other information you provide…for use and training on our machine learning and artificial intelligence models, whether generative or of another type”.
This change has been reported several times over the past year. Musk previously confirmed that his company xAI, an aspiring rival to OpenAI valued at $24 billion, would use public tweets to train Grok.
He also featured on the “humorous” chatbot help pagewhich states: “To continually improve your experience, we may use your posts X… for training and tuning purposes. »
Users of Elon Musk’s X, formerly Twitter, say they are leaving the platform for rivals like Bluesky.
AFP via Getty Images
This might explain why Grok’s responses are so frank and unapologetic. After all, Twitter thrives on quips and snappy one-liners designed to go viral.
In a recent example, the bot replied at the prompt of a user calling Musk “one of the biggest spreaders of disinformation on X.”
X/Twitter User Reactions to AI Policy
But with the division policy now taking effect, users are threatening to leave X and encouraging others to follow suit. Creatives are particularly concerned about this controversial update, as they use X to share their work.
“Due to the upcoming AI training that goes into effect here tomorrow, I will (unfortunately) be deleting all of my posts here and will no longer be active,” said comic book artist Rian Gonzales. “I’m sad because I’ve met so many of you amazing people here.”
The illustrator’s profile name announced her move to Blue skythe rival X launched by Twitter co-creator Jack Dorsey and which has gained traction in recent weeks.
Bluesky recently revealed that it has added more than a million new users since the US presidential election, taking advantage of the exodus of disgruntled X users.
“The latest TOS agreement states that Bluesky. “I’m downloading my archives and leaving here this week. I suggest you do the same.
X is not the only platform to power its AI on user data. Meta recently implemented a similar policy for its social networks, including Facebook and Instagram. In a controversial move, the tech giant announced that users would have to submit a form to request deletion, rather than being able to opt out by default.
Additionally, Reddit (another site where users are complaining about X’s revised rules) allows Google to access user content for AI training purposes in exchange for $60 million in licensing fees.
As of this writing, users angered by the change can still opt out of having their data used for AI training – but it’s unclear how long this option will work.
Uncheck this box in your X settings to disable AI data sharing
X
But legally speaking, that may not matter. The terms of service don’t explicitly mention an opt-out option, and it doesn’t seem to matter whether your account is locked – based on these terms, Grok can still use your data.
However, if you want to try your luck to have peace of mind, here is how to proceed:
On with Grok to be used for training and development.
What else is changing about X?
AI isn’t the only change keeping X users up at night. As part of the new terms of service, X also clarifies that disputes raised by users will be governed by “the laws of the State of Texas.”
All disputes, the terms state, “shall be brought exclusively in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas, or in the state courts located in Tarrant County, Texas.”
The Washington Post recently reported that X’s decision to change its terms of service was intended to direct lawsuits to courthouses considered a “hub for conservatives.” This decision is believed to have been made by Musk to better protect X from potential litigation.
Many users and experts have expressed concerns about the update’s impact on online security, warning that it could allow unwanted followers to continue monitoring users who have blocked them.
This change could particularly affect high-profile figures, particularly women, they noted, who are more likely to be victims of online harassment.
