X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, has sparked controversy over its decision to partner with an Israeli company that has ties to the country’s intelligence services. The company, Au10tix, will provide identity verification for X Blue, a premium subscription service that offers exclusive features and perks to users.
What is X Blue and how does it work?
X Blue is a new service that X launched in July 2023, after its owner Elon Musk renamed the platform from Twitter. X Blue allows users to access enhanced features such as undoing tweets, bookmarking folders, customizing app icons, and reading ad-free articles from partner websites.To join X Blue, users need to pay a monthly fee of $2.99 and verify their identity by uploading a selfie and a government-issued ID. According to PC Magazine, the verification process will be handled by Au10tix, an Israeli company that specializes in identity verification and fraud prevention.
Who is Au10tix and what are its links to Israel?
Au10tix was founded in 2002 as the technology arm of ICTS International, a Dutch security company that was established by former members of the Shin Bet, Israel’s internal security service. Au10tix provides biometric and document authentication solutions for various sectors, including banking, travel, gaming, and online platforms.
Some of its clients include Google, PayPal, Coinbase, Airbnb, and Revolut. Au10tix claims that its technology can verify identities in less than 10 seconds and detect sophisticated fraud attempts. However, some of its engineers have also worked or currently work in Unit 8200, the cyber intelligence unit of the Israeli military.
Why are campaigners concerned about X’s partnership with Au10tix?
Campaigners and activists have voiced alarm over X’s partnership with Au10tix, citing concerns over user privacy and data security. They argue that Au10tix’s founders and employees have a history of involvement in Israel’s military surveillance and intelligence gathering, which could pose a risk for users who are critical of Israel’s policies or actions.
Nadim Nashif, the executive director of 7amleh, an Israel-based social media monitoring organization, told Middle East Eye that the association between X and Au10tix was “alarming”. He said that while he understood the necessity of verifying user accounts to prevent fake accounts and maintain a trustworthy online environment, he also urged 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.
How has X responded to the criticism?
X has not yet responded to the criticism or commented on its partnership with Au10tix. However, according to PC Magazine, X said that it would only store the user’s personal information for up to 30 days after verification and that it would not use it for any other purpose. X also said that it would not share the user’s information with any third parties without their consent.
However, some users have expressed skepticism and dissatisfaction over X’s new verification policy and have threatened to boycott or delete their accounts. Some have also accused X of being complicit in Israel’s oppression of Palestinians and other human rights violations.
