On November 15, X (formerly Twitter) rolled out new terms of service that have prompted a significant backlash from users, leading some to abandon Elon Musk’s microblogging platform. The controversial updates introduce expansive permissions that allow X to utilize user data for training its artificial intelligence models. Additionally, the new terms impose a striking liability clause, potentially charging users up to $15,000 in damages for excessive usage—defined as accessing more than 1 million posts in a single day.
These changes have spurred both celebrities and everyday users to announce their departure from the platform. Actress Gabrielle Union expressed her discontent, stating, “With the recent and upcoming changes to the terms of service — and the return of volatile figures — I find myself at a crossroads, facing a direction I can no longer fully support.” Similarly, user @mplsFietser remarked, “The changes to the terms of service are the final nail in the coffin for me.”
While the exact number of users leaving X because of the new terms remains unclear, there has been a noticeable shift toward alternatives like Bluesky, a microblogging platform with roots in Twitter. Since the start of November, Bluesky’s U.S. mobile app downloads have surged by 651%, indicating a growing dissatisfaction with X’s policies. In contrast, X and Meta’s Threads saw more modest increases of 20% and 42%, respectively.
Key Changes in X’s Terms of Service
Data Usage for AI Training
X’s new terms allow the company to use any content shared on the platform to train its AI models, including Grok, its chatbot. Users are required to agree to a license that permits the company to use their posts, interactions, and even results shared with Grok for training purposes. However, the policy remains unclear about whether private messages are included in this data usage, and X has not addressed this.
In comparison, Meta’s Threads also utilizes user content for AI training but distinguishes between public posts and private messages, which are only used if shared by one participant in a chat. Bluesky, on the other hand, has explicitly stated that it does not use user content for generative AI training.
Liquidated Damages Clause
Another notable aspect of X’s updated terms is the “liquidated damages” clause. This stipulates that users who exceed the 1 million post threshold in 24 hours may be liable for $15,000. This clause raises concerns among digital researchers, who depend on accessing large volumes of public posts for their work. Critics argue that it could stifle essential research and analysis of public discourse on the platform.
Neither Threads nor Bluesky have adopted similar measures, highlighting a stark difference in their user policies.
Conclusion
As X’s new terms of service take effect, the platform faces a potential exodus of users seeking more transparent and user-friendly alternatives. With increasing scrutiny over data usage and the implications for public discourse, the future of X remains uncertain amidst rising competition from platforms like Bluesky and Threads.
