Understanding X’s New Terms of Service and AI Training
Have you recently seen a pop-up on X notifying you of changes to its Terms of Service? You’re not alone – many users have encountered this update. The main amendment pertains to granting permission for X to utilize your data in its AI training. By clicking through and continuing to use the app, you are essentially giving consent for this new practice moving forward.
Congratulations, you are now a contributor to xAI.
If you wish to understand the specifics, you can view the current and upcoming X Terms of Service. The key alteration lies in the “Your Rights and Grant of Rights in the Content” section, where X now clearly states its intention to use your posts for AI model training.
The new provision emphasized that:
“You agree that this license includes the right for us to 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.”
Essentially, by agreeing to these terms, you are granting X legal permission to use your platform activity for AI model training.
Can you opt out? Unfortunately, not unless you reside in the EU. X does not currently use EU user data for AI training, as per Europe’s stricter data laws. However, non-EU users can choose not to have their chats with X’s Grok chatbot included in the training.
By accepting the new Terms of Service and continuing to use X, you are granting permission for all your uploads to be used in the X and xAI data training. While this may seem typical for social apps today, if you come across misinformation claiming you can opt-out of AI training, note that this is inaccurate. Your agreement is outlined in the Terms of Service, and by using the app, you have consented.
X’s updated Terms of Service will be effective from November 15th, 2024.