X Is Using User Data to Train Grok AI: Here’s How to Opt Out

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Elon Musk’s X quietly slipped in an update that allowed it to use user data in training its AI bot – GrokAI. Although users can choose to opt out of sharing their data (as per a post by X), the feature is turned on by default. So if a user is not aware of this change, they might unintentionally consent to sharing their data for AI training.

Users should have the freedom to decide whether they want to keep their accounts private or public without being forced to share their data.

This came under the attention of X’s European privacy watchdog, the Irish Data Protection Commission (DPC).

‘The DPC has been engaging with X on this matter for a number of months, with our latest interaction occurring as recently as yesterday. Therefore we are surprised by today’s developments.’ – DPC Deputy Commissioner Graham Doyle

The agency said that it’s quite surprised by this move and has raised questions about the same to X. They are hoping to hear back from the company by next week.

Can X Legally Use User Data to Train Its AI?

There’s no simple answer to this. In the EU, if a company wants to track user data, there needs to be a valid legal basis. But it’s not clear if X has one.

The language here is very ambiguous. It’s not clear if your data will be used for improving user experience or AI training or both. So unless we have some clarity on what X intends to do with the data, it’s hard to say where this move stands legally.

Rest assured, the EU is very cautious about its people. So if X’s decision is actually hurting users in any way, it won’t be approved.

For example, a similar plan was proposed by Meta earlier this year. It wanted to use the data of Facebook and Instagram users in Europe for AI training. But following a few GDPR complaints, the initiative was paused last month.

How to Opt Out of Grok AI Training?

For those who want to opt out of data sharing, we have a quick guide for you:

If you have any conversation history with the bot, you can also delete it by clicking on the “Delete conversation history” button.