Elon Musk's X wants to collect users' biometric data and education history, an upcoming privacy policy update shows

• X has unveiled a new privacy policy due to go into effect on September 29.
• It says it will start storing users' biometric data, which could include facial recognition.
• The platform could also collect users' job search activity as it expands into the recruitment sector.

Elon Musk's X will start storing users' biometric data, as well as their employment and education history, its new privacy policy shows.

The platform formerly known as Twitter said: "Based on your consent, we may collect and use your biometric information for safety, security, and identification purposes."

It doesn't specifically define what it means by biometric information, but it typically refers to a person's physical characteristics like their face or fingerprints.

A representative for X confirmed the plans to Bloomberg, but didn't elaborate. The policy is due to go into effect on September 29.

Back in July, a proposed class action lawsuit was brought against X, accusing it of storing biometric data without users' consent. The plaintiff alleged that X collected and stored identifying information from every photo with a face in it that was uploaded to the platform.

Collecting biometric data is especially controversial in the debate on public privacy because, while credit card numbers or even social security numbers can be changed if they're compromised, a person's biometric information is unchangeable.

X's new privacy policy also says it will begin collecting the likes of employment history, educational history, and job search activity.

That appears to be linked to X Hiring, the platform's upcoming recruitment tool that's currently in a beta mode available to verified organizations. Back in May, X made its first acquisition under Musk's leadership by buying a talent-recruitment startup called Laskie.

The expanding services of X are part of Musk's ambition to turn it into an "everything app," capable of not only posting and job searching, but also making payments and video calls.

X did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment.