"X poses severe privacy risks through aggressive data collection including biometrics and employment history, broad third-party sharing for advertising and AI training, extensive cross-platform tracking, and limited user control over policy changes."
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Twitter / X Privacy Concerns & Scorecard
X shares user data broadly with advertisers, ad networks, data partners, and third-party collaborators who can use data independently for AI model training without explicit opt-in. Direct messages are shared with third-party service users.
X tracks user behavior extensively on and off platform, including clicks on external links, video engagement, and interactions on third-party websites. Uses device ID and X-generated identifiers to recognize devices across the web.
X collects an exceptionally broad range of personal data including biometric information, precise location, payment details with CVV, employment history, job search activity, direct message contents, and inferred identity data linking accounts across services.
X can make unilateral policy changes with notice only for changes X determines to be material. English policy version takes precedence over translations, potentially creating compliance gaps for non-English speakers.
X retains suspended account identifiers indefinitely to prevent repeat offenders. Direct message communications are retained up to 18 months, and settings changes may take time to propagate through systems.
Inferred interests review
- 1Log in to your X account and go to Settings and privacy.
- 2Select 'Your account', then navigate to 'Your X data'.
- 3Review the 'Interests and Ads data' section to see interests X and partners have inferred about you.
- 4Review the list of advertisers who have included your account in their tailored audiences.
Ad personalization off
- 1Log in to your X account.
- 2Go to Settings and privacy.
- 3Navigate to 'Ads preferences' settings.
- 4Disable the 'Personalized ads' setting.
Data download
- 1Click or tap 'More' in the main navigation menu to the left of your timeline.
- 2Select 'Settings and privacy'.
- 3Choose 'Your account'.
- 4Select 'Download an archive of your data'.
- 5Confirm your password, then select 'Request archive'.
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Data Collection & Tracking
Personal Information Collected
Account creation, authentication, identity verification, and linking accounts across X services
Personalized advertising, content recommendations, location-based services, and safety/security
Device recognition, cross-device tracking, analytics, personalization, and security
Payment processing, fraud detection, transaction record-keeping per applicable law
Safety, security, and age assurance; additional purposes not specified
Content moderation, safety enforcement, analytics, AI model training, and product improvement
Personalization, analytics, advertising targeting, recommendations, and behavior tracking
Advertising, personalized recommendations, product features
User recommendations, contact discovery, engagement features
Cross-Platform Tracking
X tracks users across the web and third-party sites through device IDs, X-generated identifiers, and hashed email linking. Ad partners integrate tracking directly, and advertisers can track user engagement with ads both on and off X. Inferred identity data links accounts across services to recognize users across devices and platforms.
Tracking Methods:
Cookies and similar tracking technologies
Non-essential cookies used for advertising, business purposes, and analytics. Opt-out available but cookies enabled by default.
Device ID and X-generated identifiers
Used to recognize devices across the web for ad serving and tracking on and off X platform
Tracking pixels and ad partner integration
Ad partners integrate tracking technology directly; advertisers track engagement with ads on third-party sites
Hashed email address linking
Hashed email addresses used to infer identity and link accounts across services for cross-device tracking
AI & Data Training
Twitter / X uses your content to train AI
Below is what's used and how (if at all) you can object.
What Content Is Used
Posts and content
Posts, replies, broadcasts, and other content created by users may be used by X and third-party collaborators for AI model training
Direct messages
Direct message contents are collected and may be used by third-party collaborators for AI model training when messages are shared with third-party services
Engagement and behavioral data
User interactions, engagement with content, and behavioral patterns may be used for AI model training by X and third-party collaborators
How to Object
No opt-out available
This service does not currently provide a public way to opt out of AI training.
Why We Analyzed Twitter / X
TrueTerms automatically audits privacy policies and data practices using advanced machine learning to keep you informed and protected. This scorecard is based on the latest available public terms of service and privacy policies as of 2026.