X Corp, formerly known as Twitter, has announced a forthcoming update to its privacy policy, revealing plans to gather biometric data from users beginning September 29. This move is aimed at enhancing account security and combating rampant fraud on the platform, with a focus on premium users. While the company asserts that this initiative will fortify security and thwart impersonation attempts, privacy advocates express apprehension over the collection of permanent and sensitive biometric data, including facial and eye scans.
Critics emphasize concerns about the potential future use and sharing of this data, especially in relation to authoritarian regimes. Nora Benavidez, a senior counsel at Free Press, emphasizes that public awareness regarding the implications for privacy and free expression rights is crucial. Additionally, there are worries about potential discrimination, as biometric matching technologies have exhibited higher false positive rates for people of color.
X Corp is currently embroiled in legal challenges, including a proposed class action lawsuit in Illinois for alleged violations of the state’s Biometric Information Privacy Act. While biometric data can be a secure means of identity verification, Tatiana Rice, senior counsel at the Future of Privacy Forum, underscores that user privacy must remain the top priority.
Notably, X Corp has not disclosed its data retention or deletion policies regarding the biometric information. Furthermore, the updated policy also mentions the potential collection and utilization of additional personal information for job recommendation services and advertising, intensifying concerns about the extent of data gathering by the tech giant.
