X, formerly called Twitter, updated its privacy policies to collect more data from its users. Among them, your biometric data. The social network, owned by Elon Musk, explained in his Web that this information will be used “for security and identification purposes”, as long as the user gives his consent.
Twitter reported that the change will be applied from September 29th. The company has not explained what it includes in “biometric data”, but the term is often used to refer to the registration of facial features, eyes or fingerprints.
The collection of biometric data will be, for now, only for premium users. “X will be given the option of providing his government ID, combined with a selfiesto add a verification layer”, added the social network in a statement. He argued that this will help the platform combat phishing attempts.
Twitter’s new policy also allows it to collect information about users’ jobs and educational history. The company will use this data to power its own job board, X Hiring. This way, you can recommend job openings to users and suggest potential candidates to employers.
Twitter, biometric dice and the “super app”
Elon Musk has long insisted that one of his priorities is to eliminate fake Twitter accounts. In this sense, the social network implemented a subscription model at the beginning of this year, for which you have to pay $8 dollars a month. In this way, users can receive blue verification on their accounts and prove that they are authentic users, the company has said.
Musk has also said that he wants to turn Twitter into a “superapp” or an “app for everything”. The most common reference is WeChat, a Chinese messaging service that also offers an online payment system, making video calls, making online purchases and sending emails.
Twitter began working earlier this year on a payment system to integrate into the platform. He Financial Times reported that it was already applying for regulatory licenses in the United States.
Elon Musk also announced Thursday that Twitter will soon support audio and video calls. The mogul said in his profile that this new feature will have “a unique set of factors.”