Social Network X Restricts AI Model Training with Its Data

Social network X has recently updated its developer agreement to restrict the use of its platform content for training large language models (LLMs). This change explicitly prohibits third parties from using the X API or any content from the platform to fine-tune or train foundation or frontier AI models.

This policy update follows the acquisition of X by Elon Musk’s AI company, xAI, in March 2025. Given xAI’s strategic interests, it is understandable that the company would want to protect its newly acquired data assets from being freely used by competitors without a formal agreement or sale.

Interestingly, this marks a reversal from earlier in 2023 when X had updated its privacy policy to allow the use of public data on its platform for AI training. Last October, the platform further relaxed restrictions to permit third parties to train models using its data. The latest update signals a tightening of control over how its data can be leveraged in AI development.

This move by X is part of a broader industry trend where platforms are increasingly instituting safeguards against AI crawlers and unauthorized data scraping. For example, Reddit has implemented protections to prevent AI crawlers from harvesting its content, and The Browser Company recently added similar clauses to its AI-focused browser Dia’s terms of use.

Why This Matters for AI Development

The restriction on using X’s content for training AI models highlights the growing tension between data accessibility and proprietary control. AI developers often rely on vast datasets scraped from public platforms to improve model accuracy and capabilities. However, as platforms tighten their data usage policies, AI companies must navigate new legal and ethical boundaries.

For businesses and developers, this means reassessing data sourcing strategies and ensuring compliance with platform-specific terms of service. Ignoring these restrictions could lead to legal challenges or loss of access to valuable APIs and data streams.

Navigating the New Landscape

To adapt, AI developers should consider:

• Seeking explicit licensing agreements with platforms like X to access data for AI training.
• Exploring alternative data sources that comply with usage policies and privacy regulations.
• Implementing robust data governance frameworks to ensure ethical AI development.

As AI continues to evolve, the balance between innovation and data rights will remain a critical challenge. Platforms like X setting clear boundaries on data use could shape the future of AI training methodologies and industry collaborations.