- X uses by default the posts and interactions of all users to train its AI Grok.
- The option to disable this data collection is only available through the web version of the platform.
- The European Union could sanction X because pre-activated consent violates the GDPR regulation.
You've probably noticed that X (formerly Twitter) is constantly changing. Amidst all this activity, they've slipped in a feature that many of us aren't happy about: using our data to feed their own artificial intelligence, Grok . It turns out the platform has decided, on its own initiative, that everything we post and all our interactions serve as fuel to make their AI smarter, and the worst part is they 've enabled it by default for everyone.
The strategy is clear: Elon Musk wants to compete head-to-head with giants like ChatGPT and Gemini, and to do so, he needs a massive amount of real, up-to-date data. The problem is that this data collection has been done without explicitly notifying users, hiding the option to disable it deep within the settings. If you don't want your photos, videos, or late-night musings to end up as part of a machine's training, it's time to take action and adjust your account's privacy settings .
What is Grok and why is there so much fuss?
Grok is the AI assistant developed by xAI, Musk's company. It's marketed as a more rebellious, ingenious, and humorous tool than its competitors, eschewing extreme political correctness. Although initially a gem reserved only for those who pay the Premium subscription (around €11 per month), controversy has erupted because the AI's training isn't limited to paying users, but rather encompasses the entire user base of the social network.
The lack of transparency has been the trigger. While other networks like LinkedIn and Meta also do similar things, X has been particularly aggressive in updating its terms of service , making it clear that if you continue using the platform, you essentially agree to the processing of your data. There has even been mention of the possibility that external collaborators could use this information to improve their own models, which opens up a rather worrying privacy gap.
How to prevent X from using your data to train its AI
If you want to regain control over your data, you should know that you can't do it from the mobile app; you must use the web version in a browser. Here's a detailed roadmap to stop feeding Grok:
- Go to x.com and log in. In the left sidebar menu, click on "More options" and then access "Settings and privacy".
- Within the settings, find and select the section for "Privacy & Security".
- Scroll down until you find the section called "Data exchange and personalization".
- Click on the option "Grok" (or "Grok and external collaborators", depending on your version).
- Simply uncheck the box which allows your posts and interactions to be used for AI training and improvement.
The clash with the law and the future of privacy
This move has not gone unnoticed by regulators, especially in the European Union. The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is very clear: consent cannot be predetermined ; the user must actively say "yes," not have to say "no" to prevent their data from being read. For this reason, the Irish Data Protection Commission and the European Commission already have their eyes on X, and it could face hefty fines for deceiving users.
Meanwhile, Musk continues to accelerate development. He has built a massive computing cluster in Tennessee with thousands of Nvidia GPUs to create the most powerful AI on the market. Grok is expected to rapidly evolve to versions 2 and 3 before the end of the year, demonstrating that xAI's technological ambition takes precedence over users' ethical or legal concerns.
The current situation in X reflects a constant tension between rapid innovation and the right to privacy. Faced with a lack of clarity and abrupt changes in data policies, many users have begun migrating to alternatives like Bluesky . The wisest course of action is to periodically review privacy settings, since in such a volatile environment, protecting our digital footprint depends entirely on our own proactive measures.
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