X’s updated privacy policy states it will collect users’ biometric data

X will begin collecting users’ biometric data, according to its new privacy policy. The platform wants to collect users’ job and education histories and the change will go into effect on September 29.

First spotted by Bloomberg, the policy reads, “Based on your consent, we may collect and use your biometric information for safety, security, and identification purposes.” 

In addition to this, it will also start storing users’ employment and education history. The platform hasn’t specified what it means by biometric information and hasn’t provided any details about how it plans to collect it.

“We may collect and use your personal information (such as your employment history, educational history, employment preferences, skills and abilities, job search activity and engagement, and so on) to recommend potential jobs for you, to share with potential employers when you apply for a job, to enable employers to find potential candidates, and to show you more relevant advertising,” the policy states.

In response to this update, the platform told Bloomberg that the biometrics are for X Premium users which will give them the option to submit their government ID and an image in order to add a verification layer. The data will then be matched from both the ID and image.

X also mentioned in a statement that this will help it fight impersonation attempts and make the platform more secure.