Campaigners concerned over links of X, formerly Twitter, to Israeli spy agency

Campaigners and activists have voiced alarm at reports that verification for premium users of X, formerly known as Twitter, will be carried out by a company founded by former Israeli intelligence officials.

X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, will now require X Blue users to submit a selfie alongside a photo of a government-issued ID, according to a report by PC Magazine.

The user’s personal information required by the verification process will be handled by Israeli company AU10TIX software which will store the information for up to 30 days.

X said the data collected from a user’s profile will be used “for the purpose of safety and security, including preventing impersonation.”

Many X users were unhappy with the choice of the company to store user data, pointing out its employees’ links to Israeli intelligence.

Speaking to Middle East Eye, Nadim Nashif, the executive director of 7amleh, an Israel-based Palestinian digital rights organization, said the platform's partnership with the organization was "alarming".

"The concept of verifying user accounts is indeed essential in suppressing fake accounts and maintaining a trustworthy online environment. However, the approach chosen by X, in collaboration with the Israeli identity intelligence company Au10tix, raises significant concerns," Nashif was quoted as saying on Tuesday. 

"Au10tix is located in Israel and both have a well-documented history of military surveillance and intelligence gathering... this association raises questions about the potential implications for user privacy and data security."

He added that while he understood the necessity of security measures, it was crucial to "strike a balance between user safety and privacy, and the potential risks posed by data exposure".

"We strongly urge X to be transparent about their data handling practices and to provide assurances that the collected biometric data will be safeguarded from misuse or unauthorized access," he said.

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 Au10tix was founded in 2002 as the technology arm of Dutch security company, ICTS International, which itself was founded by, among others, former members of the Israeli Shin Bet intelligence services.

AU10TIX helped to create the identity verification systems for airports and border controls in the 1980s and 90s before expanding, with the growth of the internet, into what it describes as “digital spaces” in 2002. It now boasts several high-profile clients such as Uber, PayPal and Google.

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In July 2023, Musk announced that Twitter would be rebranded as X.

Since Elon Musk bought Twitter for $44 billion last October, the platform’s advertising business has taken a hit as marketers soured on his management style and mass firings at the company gutted content moderation.

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In response, the entrepreneur has moved toward building a subscriber base and pay model in search of new revenue.

He also killed off the Twitter logo on 24 July 2023, replacing the globally recognized blue bird with a white and black X.

Press TV’s website can also be accessed at the following alternate addresses:

www.presstv.ir