X vows to end harvesting of EU users' personal data to train its AI

X vows to end harvesting of EU users' personal data to train its AI

X 'very likely' broke data protection rules, say privacy groups
X 'very likely' broke data protection rules, say privacy groups. Photo: Kirill KUDRYAVTSEV / AFP/File
Source: AFP

Social network X has committed to stop its much-criticised harvesting of European users' personal data to train its artificial intelligence program, Ireland's Data Protection Commission (DPC) said Wednesday.

Last month the social media giant -- previously known as Twitter -- suspended its processing of personal data contained in the public posts of users in the European Union and European Economic Area. It had used the data for almost three months to train its Grok AI chatbot.

The EEA includes all 27 European Union members EU members Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, allowing them to be part of the EU single market.

"It is now a permanent commitment," to end such harvesting, Graham Doyle, Deputy Commissioner of the DPC, told AFP.

The DPC, which acts on behalf of the EU, said in a statement that proceedings it brought before the Irish High Court last month have concluded.

Read also

UN hosts Libya rivals for central bank crisis talks

"The proceedings have been struck out on the basis of X's agreement to continue to adhere to the terms of the undertaking (made on August 8) on a permanent basis," said the statement.

PAY ATTENTION: Share your outstanding story with our editors! Please reach us through info@corp.legit.ng!

"The DPC welcomes today's outcome which protects the rights of EU/EEA citizens," it said.

Last month the DPC, which works in collaboration with European regulators, made the urgent High Court application for violation of EU rules on data protection (GDPR).

The authority said it had "significant concerns" that the harvesting "gave rise to a risk to the fundamental rights and freedoms of individuals".

Eight European countries have complained over X's data collection practices, which advocacy group NOYB (None of Your Business) said were "very likely" in breach of the rules.

NOYB said that X should have made its practices more transparent to users and obtained their explicit consent before enabling data collection.

Source: AFP

Authors:
AFP avatar

AFP AFP text, photo, graphic, audio or video material shall not be published, broadcast, rewritten for broadcast or publication or redistributed directly or indirectly in any medium. AFP news material may not be stored in whole or in part in a computer or otherwise except for personal and non-commercial use. AFP will not be held liable for any delays, inaccuracies, errors or omissions in any AFP news material or in transmission or delivery of all or any part thereof or for any damages whatsoever. As a newswire service, AFP does not obtain releases from subjects, individuals, groups or entities contained in its photographs, videos, graphics or quoted in its texts. Further, no clearance is obtained from the owners of any trademarks or copyrighted materials whose marks and materials are included in AFP material. Therefore you will be solely responsible for obtaining any and all necessary releases from whatever individuals and/or entities necessary for any uses of AFP material.