X Uses Your Posts to Train Grok AI: How to Disable This Feature

Introduction

Recently, X began using members’ public posts to train its Grok AI chat platform without prior notice. This change was implemented quietly, leaving many users unaware. This article details the event and how to protect your privacy.

X Quietly Starts Training Grok AI

Why AI Platforms Need Data

As competition among AI platforms intensifies, each is continually seeking data to train its large language models (LLMs). This data is crucial for enhancing AI performance. However, most platforms use user data for training without notifying or obtaining permission from the users.

How X Utilizes Your Posts

To stay competitive, X has quietly started using user posts to train the Grok AI chat platform. Until July 25, many users discovered a new option in the site’s privacy settings, allowing the platform to use their data for training. Worse, this setting is enabled by default, rather than requiring users to opt in.

Statement from X’s Security Team

X’s security team confirmed this new setting in a tweet, stating that it is currently only available on the web version and will soon be released for mobile. The tweet mentioned: “All X users can control whether their public posts are used to train Grok, the AI search assistant.” This option is located in the privacy settings, accessible to all users.

How to Stop Your Data from Being Used to Train Grok

Two Options

If you do not want X to use your posts to train Grok, you have two choices:

1. Make Your Account Private: This option will significantly limit your experience on X, so it is not the best choice.
2. Disable the Relevant Setting: Log in to the X website, click the “More” button at the bottom of the screen, select “Settings and Privacy,” choose Grok under “Data Sharing and Personalization,” and then uncheck the setting “Allow your posts and interactions with Grok to be used for training and fine-tuning,” as shown in the image below.

Conclusion

As AI technology continues to advance, protecting user data becomes increasingly important. X’s quiet use of members’ public posts to train its Grok AI has raised privacy concerns. By understanding and disabling the relevant settings, you can better protect your personal data. Visit X’s privacy settings to learn more.