How to Change Your Privacy Settings on Twitter and X

X's New Direction and the Use of User Data for AI

Twitter's transition under new ownership and its rebranding to "X" have brought changes not only to the app's design (goodbye blue bird, hello... X?), but also to its policies on handling personal data. Recently, X updated its terms to include a clause allowing the platform to use all public posts, interactions, and images from users to train its generative AI model called "Grok." Basically, if you post a picture of your cat, Grok might learn to draw felines wearing cowboy hats. Many users don't realize this option is enabled by default for all accounts, like that relative who invites themselves over for dinner without asking. Understanding how to change your privacy settings on Twitter/X lets you decide for yourself how to protect your privacy (and your memes).

1. Disable AI Training (Grok)

Protecting your content and personal data from AI training is an urgent step for many X users. Because, let's face it, we don't want Grok learning to write tweets worse than our own. Here's how to disable this feature on both desktop and mobile app:

1. Open the side menu and select Settings and privacy (yes, you actually have to click it, not just think about it).
2. Click on Privacy and safety and scroll down until you find the Grok option (it's there, hidden like a missing sock).
3. Uncheck the box that allows X to use your posts and interaction history for AI model training. Click on "Delete conversation history" to remove previously stored data (like cleaning out your digital garage).

2. Protect Your Posts (Make Your Account Private)

If you don't want your X posts to be visible to everyone on the web or indexed by Google (because not everyone needs to know you tweeted at 3 AM), you can enable the "Protect your posts" feature. This option turns your public profile into a private one: only users you've manually approved as followers can read what you post and interact with you. To do this, go to Settings and privacy > Privacy and safety > Audience and tagging, and toggle on "Protect your posts." It's like putting a "No Trespassing" sign on your digital front door.

3. Manage Data Sharing with Advertisers

In the same Privacy and safety menu, pay attention to the "Data sharing and personalization" section. Here, you can revoke permission to share your browsing and demographic data with X's business partners for displaying personalized ads, and limit the tracking of your phonebook contacts. In practice, you can tell advertisers: "Thanks, but I prefer to choose what to buy myself, without you suggesting a drill because I searched for 'how to hang a picture.'"

Quick Privacy Guide for X (Twitter) – So You Don't End Up in a Meme Without Meaning To

Three clicks and your privacy will be more locked down than a Swiss bunker. Or at least you won't end up in Grok's posts as an example of "what not to do."