Twitter will sell personal data of users who do not pay for a premium subscription

Twitter is trying to retain its advertisers, so the platform plans to provide its advertising partners with personal data of users, such as access to geolocation and phone number. Currently, social media users have the opportunity to choose the information they are willing to share, but this option may soon disappear.

The company reports that the initiative will first be tested on 1% of accounts in the United States. If it is successful, the new rules will apply to all Twitter users. At the same time, it will not be possible to revoke the permission to share data.

Developers are also exploring the possibility of allowing users not to disclose personal information if they purchase a subscription to Twitter Blue. However, this contradicts Apple’s client policy — the company prohibits applications in the App Store from forcing users to choose between advertising targeting mechanisms and payment for using mobile applications.

Elon Musk has promised that premium subscription holders will see half as many ads as regular users. Twitter believes that personalized advertising will help increase the profitability of Twitter Blue and retain advertisers. According to the company’s estimates, each regular user who does not pay for additional privileges for their account costs Twitter $ 6 in losses.

Twitter Blue was reinstated after the premium subscription was suspended due to fake verified accounts of celebrities, politicians, and global media. This was also influenced by Musk’s quarrel with Apple over the App Store fee. Earlier, Twitter announced that for iOS devices, the platform would sell a verification tick for 30% more expensive — all in order to compensate for Apple’s 30% commission or $ 8 when registering on the social network’s website.

As you can see, freedom of speech and transparency of information in Elon Musk’s understanding looks quite specific. To save money, Twitter stopped paying rent for its offices, including its headquarters in San Francisco. The company also refused to pay almost $ 200,000 for private jet flights made in late October. In November, the billionaire warned employees that Twitter could have a cash deficit of more than $ 1 billion in 2023. If the platform does not raise additional funding, the social network risks declaring insolvency.