X, formerly known as Twitter, has announced that it will collect biometric data from its users as part of an update to its privacy policy. The data collection will include a photograph of the user’s face and may also include employment and educational history. This move has sparked speculation that X may be planning to offer recruitment services. In May, X Corp acquired a tech recruiting service called Laskie, indicating a potential expansion into this area. The new privacy policy will come into effect on September 29th.
According to X, the collection of biometric data will be limited to X Premium users. These users will have the option to provide a selfie and photo ID for verification purposes. The company stated that the biometric data will be used to add a verification layer and to fight impersonation attempts, making the platform more secure.
However, some experts have raised concerns about the potential misuse of this data by employers. Liberty Vittert, a professor of data science at Washington University in St Louis, warned that employers could use tweets, retweets, or accounts followed to make decisions about a job, which could be unfair to applicants.
In addition to the biometric data collection, X’s owner Elon Musk has also announced plans to introduce video and audio calling features to the platform. He stated that these features will work on iOS, Android, Mac, and PC, and that no phone number will be required. Musk envisions X as the “global address book” and has expressed his ambition to turn the platform into an “everything app” that offers various services.
It remains to be seen when the new calling feature will be available, but it is clear that X is continuing to add new features and update its privacy policy to support its expansion plans.
How does Article X’s updated privacy policy, which includes the collection of biometric data, potentially impact job candidates and their fair treatment in the recruitment process?
Article X, previously known as Twitter, has recently shared its plans to collect biometric data from users as part of an update to its privacy policy. In addition to a user’s photograph, X may also include employment and educational history in its collection. This move has led to speculation that X might be venturing into recruitment services, especially after acquiring the tech recruiting service Laskie in May. The updated privacy policy will come into effect on September 29th.
According to X, only X Premium users will have their biometric data collected. These users will have the option to provide a selfie and photo ID for verification purposes. X claims that the collection of biometric data is intended to enhance security by adding a verification layer and preventing impersonation attempts.
While X has emphasized the security benefits, some experts have expressed concerns about the potential misuse of this data by employers. Liberty Vittert, a professor of data science at Washington University in St Louis, cautioned that employers could potentially use tweets, retweets, or accounts followed to evaluate job candidates, which could lead to unfair treatment.
In addition to the biometric data collection, X’s owner, Elon Musk, has unveiled plans to introduce video and audio calling features on the platform. Musk has stated that these features will be available across iOS, Android, Mac, and PC, and users won’t need to provide a phone number. Musk envisions X as a “global address book” and aims to transform the platform into an “everything app” that offers a wide range of services.
While there is no confirmed release date for the calling feature, it is evident that X is dedicated to expanding and enhancing its platform through the addition of new features and updates to its privacy policy.
I appreciate the transparency in informing users about the updated privacy policy, but I have concerns about the collection of biometric data and its potential use for recruitment services.