How X (Twitter) Monetizes User Data Under Elon Musk

Since Elon Musk's acquisition of Twitter in October 2022, the platform rebranded as X has reportedly expanded data collection while gutting its privacy and trust and safety teams. According to reports, X updated its privacy policy in September 2023 to allow the use of user posts, images, and interactions for AI model training — specifically for its Grok chatbot. X reportedly laid off approximately 80% of its workforce, including the majority of its privacy compliance and content moderation staff. The Irish DPC opened an investigation into X's use of EU user data for AI training without proper consent, leading X to pause the practice in the EU in August 2024.

twitter-x has been the subject of increasing scrutiny over its data collection practices practices. Privacy researchers and regulatory bodies across multiple jurisdictions have documented concerns about how the company handles user data, particularly regarding consent, transparency, and data minimization principles. The findings suggest a pattern of prioritizing business metrics over user privacy, a trend observed across the broader technology industry. Users affected by these practices have limited recourse without proactive intervention such as filing formal complaints with data protection authorities or submitting DSAR requests.

Regulatory responses have varied significantly. European data protection authorities have been more aggressive in enforcement under GDPR, while US enforcement remains fragmented across state-level privacy laws. The investigation highlights the need for stronger federal privacy legislation and more transparent corporate data practices. Affected users should consider reviewing their privacy settings, submitting data deletion requests, and exploring privacy-preserving alternatives recommended by independent researchers.