Social network X, formerly known as Twitter, will begin collecting users’ biometric data, according to its new privacy policy, TechCrunch reports. The company will collect information about users’ jobs and education. The policy page also states that the change will go into effect on September 29.

The idea dates back to when the social platform had its old, familiar Twitter name and is part of Elon Musk’s plan to turn Twitter (now X) into “the app for everything”.

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

Biometric data can be extracted from both the identity card and the image for matching purposes.

“This will additionally help us tie, for those that choose, an account to a real person by processing their government issued ID. This will also help X fight impersonation attempts and make the platform more secure”, X said in a statement, TechCrunch reported.

Although X hasn’t specified what it means by biometric information, it is usually used to describe a person’s physical characteristics, such as their face or fingerprints. X also hasn’t provided any details about how it plans to collect it.

Last month, ex. Twitter was named in a proposed class action alleging that the company improperly captured, stored and used Illinois residents’ biometric data, including facial scans, without consent.

“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 updated policy reads.

Perhaps this would largely reassure users and even make people like the idea of collecting this type of data. But is there something deeper behind this? It remains to be seen.

In the meantime, some interesting facts about biometrics:
Did you know that since ancient times, different nations have used biometrics for recognition and identification. In Babylon, China, Japan, Assyria, etc. fingerprints were used in making commercial transactions, marriage and other contracts.

And more…
The first attempt at a biometric relatively new identification system was created by Edward. Р. Henry and Francis Guilton included a fingerprint identification method, and the method itself was called – “fingerprint copy”. Interestingly, it was introduced first in India in 1876 and then in England in 1901, and within a few years was successfully integrated in almost all countries of the world.