X, previously known as Twitter, will be updating its privacy policy to include the collection of biometric data, such as facial photos, from its users.

Subscribers to X Premium, the platform’s subscription service, will have the option to provide a selfie and photo ID for verification purposes.

The policy mentions the collection of employment and educational history to recommend potential job opportunities and share information with potential employers.

The move has sparked speculation that X may be planning to offer recruitment services, especially given its acquisition of the tech recruiting service Laskie in May.

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This development coincides with X’s aim to provide more personalized experiences for users and compete with platforms like LinkedIn.

While the collection of biometric data is optional for users, some experts caution that it could potentially be misused by employers. They could use tweets, retweets, or followed accounts to make decisions about job applicants, raising concerns about privacy and discrimination.

X has stated that the biometric data collection is aimed at improving security and preventing impersonation attempts on its platform.

X also plans to introduce video and audio call features without requiring users to provide phone numbers, emphasizing its ambition to become an all-encompassing “everything app.”

It’s worth noting that TikTok already collects biometric data in the United States, although the company claims not to use it for individual identification.