X Updates Terms to Use AI on Users’ Posts, Sparking Outrage

When X unveiled its updated terms of service, set to take effect on November 15, users quickly noticed a significant change. The new terms state that by posting or sharing content on the platform, users grant X a worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free license to use their content, including for purposes such as training machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI) models. This means that users’ data could be used to help develop AI systems on X.

The use of personal content to train AI models has become a growing concern as AI technology advances. Many artists and creatives, in particular, are worried that their work might be used to train AI tools, which could eventually replace human creators. Other users have voiced concerns about their personal data being utilized in this manner, with some already starting to remove personal photos from their feeds.

Those who take issue with the updated terms may face legal challenges, as disputes will be handled in federal or state courts in Texas, specifically in the Northern District of Texas or Tarrant County, both more than 100 miles away from X’s headquarters in Austin.

The new terms also impact how data privacy is handled on the platform. X’s AI chatbot, Grok, has previously been involved in controversies, from spreading misinformation about the 2024 election to generating inappropriate, fake images of public figures. Prior to the latest update, users had the option to opt out of sharing their data for AI purposes by adjusting their privacy settings. However, it is unclear whether this opt-out feature will still be available under the new terms.

X’s new terms grant the platform broad licensing rights to all user content, including its use in machine learning and AI models. While similar provisions exist on other social media platforms, X’s terms are notable for explicitly stating these intentions. Previously, X clarified that content from private accounts would not be used to train AI models like Grok, but the updated terms no longer specify distinctions between different account types.

It’s still uncertain whether users will be able to opt out of these terms. According to Alex Fink, CEO of the AI-based news platform Otherweb, it’s common for legal terms to provide companies with more flexibility than what their user settings might suggest, meaning users may still have some control over their data, though it’s not guaranteed.