Starting November 15, the platform X will allow third-party companies to use user data for AI training. This change highlights the growing trend of monetizing social media user data as platforms seek new revenue sources amidst declining advertising profits. Concerns over user privacy and consent are becoming increasingly prominent as these practices expand.
Starting November 15, X, previously known as Twitter, will permit third-party companies to utilize user data—including posts, likes, and bookmarks—for training artificial intelligence models. This policy update highlights the increasing trend where social media platforms monetize user data amid rising demands for AI capabilities. According to cybersecurity expert Ritesh Kotak, the more extensive and diversified the data sources, the greater the accuracy of AI models developed from them. As social media platforms navigate a competitive advertising landscape, many have pursued agreements with AI firms to leverage their user data. For instance, Reddit reportedly secured a $60 million annual deal with Google, and Stack Overflow began charging AI companies for data scraping. This trend is evident across various platforms, including Tumblr and WordPress, which have reached similar agreements with organizations like Midjourney and OpenAI. User data is immensely valuable for AI development, as it encompasses emotional expression and insights into human thought and language. Ritesh Kotak emphasizes that while social media posts may lack technical quality, they provide rich material for sentiment analysis. This notion illustrates the intrinsic worth of social media content in creating sophisticated AI systems. Many users may be concerned about their data being used without their explicit consent. As of now, X has not provided an option for users to opt-out of this new data-sharing policy. Individuals who wish to safeguard their privacy will need to actively modify their account settings regarding data sharing, though once data is employed in AI training, it cannot be wholly retracted. In summary, the decision by X to share user data with third parties underscores the growing trend of monetizing social data in the pursuit of AI superiority. As platforms grapple with declining advertising revenues, many opt to harness their user data, creating ethical dilemmas concerning privacy and consent for their users. Legally, if individuals are not paying for the service, their data may be subject to utilization as a commodity.
The trend of social media companies leveraging user data for artificial intelligence model training has significantly increased in recent years. With an expanding emphasis on AI technology across different sectors, platforms like X, LinkedIn, and Reddit are turning to user-generated data as a new revenue stream. The collaboration with AI companies is reshaping the traditional models of content monetization through advertising and subscriptions, revealing a new dimension of value assigned to consumer data in the digital age.
The decision made by X to permit third-party access to user data emphasizes a pivotal shift in how social media platforms prioritize AI development and revenue generation. While this opens new financial opportunities for platforms, it raises substantial concerns regarding user privacy and data consent, particularly when individuals may be unaware of how their personal information is being utilized. As this practice becomes more commonplace, discussions regarding ethical data usage and consumer rights are imperative.
Original Source: www.cbc.ca
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