Welcome to my blog! Relax, pour yourself a hot chocolate, and join me to learn about the New X Terms of Service.

I just read through the first new Terms of Service Summary from X. These terms are exciting because most agreements, up until now, were mostly holdovers from the days of the old “Twitter.”

The birds are free now, and there are new terms soon to be in effect! I will make this a quick read for you – under 2 minutes, to be exact. But don’t let the brevity fool you; these rules are pretty serious stuff. They will go into effect Sept 29, 2023.

SUMMARY OF X’S TERMS

Let’s get straight to the point with key takeaways:

1. Ads Are Part of the Package: When you use X, continue to expect some ads. In return for using X’s platform, X will show you some ads.
2. Follow the Rules: It’s vital to adhere to the User Agreement you sign, and all applicable laws when posting content or using X. You’re responsible for your actions on X. If you’re running a business on X, ensure your marketing practices align with both the platform’s rules and local advertising regulations.
3. No Sneaky Workarounds: X’s new Terms contain a stricter prohibition on scraping of the site’s data. X means business when it says you should only use the interfaces they provide. Scraping, trying to outsmart technical limitations, or any attempts to disrupt services are a big no-no.
4. X Holds the Cards: X has the authority to take action if you breach these terms. This can range from removing content to limiting visibility, restricting access, or, in severe cases, pursuing legal action.
5. Intellectual Property Licenses: You still own your content, and you grant X a license to share it with the world. X also provides you with a license to use their software to enjoy their services.
6. Use at Your Own Risk: X offers services “AS IS” and “AS AVAILABLE.” They disclaim all warranties and responsibilities. Keep in mind that you may encounter offensive or harmful content, and the platform’s services can change or be discontinued at any time. Understand that X does its best to provide a positive experience, but you should exercise caution and report any problematic content, using the X reporting system that accompanies every post.
7. Limited Liability: While you have remedies and redress mechanisms, X’s liability is limited. For certain types of damages, X won’t be liable at all, and their aggregate liability will not exceed $100 USD or the amount paid X in the past six months for the services in question.

WHY DATA SCRAPING IS A PROBLEM

I’ll illustrate why data scraping is likely against X’s rules, consider this scenario: Imagine a user scrapes sensitive information from X’s platform and uses it for malicious purposes. This could include stealing user data, spreading false information, or even engaging in identity theft. Such actions not only harm individual users but also compromise the integrity of the platform and the community. By prohibiting data scraping, I see X as protecting your privacy and ensuring a safe and secure environment for all.

Don’t Forget Privacy

These new Terms of Service also include X’s Privacy Policy, which you can find linked below. 

MY THOUGHTS

Many big name accounts are still not verified, and currently, they often don’t display ads in their many replies. Ad revenue sharing is for people who pay for X premium. Under these new terms, I interpret that Ads could start appearing in all replies. As always, only VERIFIED accounts count toward Ad revenue sharing.

X needs to operate in a way to be (eventually) perpetually sustaining and profitable. In other words, X must protect itself from harm. These terms, a first for X, are also designed to maintain a fair and secure digital environment for you and all X users. Ultimately, you want to have a majority of unregrettable user minutes, while knowing your data is secure.

References: X Privacy Policy https://x.com/en/privacy

X Terms of Service https://x.com/en/tos

Article is by Gail Alfar, please credit accordingly. 

^{Disclaimer: I am not responsible for any legal interpretation of X policies and you should read through them yourself for accuracy and always follow your local regulations first.}