X Leverages Users’ Posts For Training Its Grok AI

The social media giant X (formerly Twitter), quietly started using users’ posts for training Grok AI. While the platform once championed users’ privacy, this sneaky move drew negative attention towards X, prompting regulators to step in.

X Now Uses Your Posts’ Data For Grok AI

Recently, X quietly enabled Grok AI training settings into users’ accounts. This setting empowered X to leverage users’ data from their posts to train their Grok AI model.

Considering the recent war of AI models and the race from the tech giants to win the AI realm, Grok AI seems just another player. However, the way X rolled out this model and the sneaky behavior of using X users’ data for Grok training without users’ consent raises questions.

The matter first caught attention when an X user highlighted this pre-enabled setting on social media. Given that the EU GDPR forbids tech services from rolling out pre-enabled features or settings, this move appeared to be a clear violation of the users’ existing privacy laws.

As reported by The Guardian, the UK’s Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) urged AI platforms to be “transparent” about their activities and ensure users’ consent.

Platforms seeking to use their users’ data to train their AI foundation models must be transparent about their activities… They should take steps to proactively notify users well in advance of using data for these purposes, and provide people with ample time and simple processes to object to having their data used in this way.

Likewise, Ireland’s Data Protection Commission (DPC) expressed its “surprise” over the matter.

The DPC has been engaging with X on this matter for a number of months, with our latest interaction occurring as recently as yesterday, therefore we are surprised by today’s developments. We have followed up with X today and are awaiting a response. We expect further engagement early next week.

Grok AI Training Setting Enabled By Default (Know How To Disable It)

While data protection regulators deal with X’s recent move, users may have to take manual steps to protect their privacy from Grok’s grip. Fortunately, the Grok AI training settings are clearly accessible to users, allowing them to opt-out.

To disable this setting, users need to visit their X accounts’ privacy settings. Then, under the “Data sharing and personalization” option, users may find the setting “Allow your posts as well as your interactions, inputs, and results with Grok to be used for training and fine-tuning” checked by default. Unchecking this option and saving the settings will opt out of users’ posts from Grok’s training activity.

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