Clubhouse and Twitter Spaces both record your audio, but what they do with it is very different

Their privacy policies reflect how they want users to see their platforms.
By Matt Binder  on 
Clubhouse and Twitter Spaces both record your audio, but what they do with it is very different

Clubhouse and Twitter Spaces may seem like two very similar apps in the trendy audio space, but there's one crucial difference between the two.

It has to do with the way they're recording your audio conversations — yes, it's all being recorded — and what happens to that data after your live chat is over. The two companies have very different policies surrounding recording audio and data retention.

Twitter has stated that it will store copies of all conversations on Twitter Spaces, its new live audio feature, for at least 30 days in order to check for platform violations. If a violation is detected, Twitter can then hold copies of a conversation for up to 90 days in order to provide time for a user-requested appeals process.

According to a Twitter spokesperson, Spaces are subject to the same rules as the rest of the platform. Users can report an entire Space or just specific users within the Space. Twitter will also provide a warning to users when a Space participant that they blocked is speaking.

In addition, Twitter tells Mashable that violations while using Spaces could lead to a user losing access to the feature.

Clubhouse also records its audio conversations, but the company handles things a bit differently from Twitter. Clubhouse automatically deletes its recordings when the room ends unless a user reports a violation of the apps’ Trust and Safety measures during the chat. Clubhouse will then hold onto the data until the investigation is complete.

Its stricter privacy policies may appear to make Clubhouse the more favorable option when it comes to data privacy, but it should be noted that the young company has already had its fair share of issues surrounding user data.

Clubhouse also has strict rules against participants recording any of the conversations happening in the rooms unless they get consent from all the other speakers. The platform is branding itself as a place for ephemeral conversations.

This is another area where Twitter Spaces differs considerably. According to a Twitter spokesperson, Spaces data, such as audio recordings and copies of transcriptions, will eventually be available to Spaces hosts. The company also says that participants in conversations on Spaces will have access to transcripts, but only for what they said in Spaces, not the other speakers as well. The data will be made available for as long as Twitter retains it (so within that 30 to 90 day period) and will be packaged along with the rest of users' downloadable Twitter data.

The two platforms' approaches to data storage really speak to a major difference in their intended uses. It seems Twitter users will be able to Spaces for more permanent content that they can repurpose for other platforms and mediums; whereas Clubhouse rooms will live strictly in the moment.

Will these data retention policies affect whether Clubhouse or Twitter Spaces takes off? It remains to be seen. At the time of publication of this article, Clubhouse is still an invite-only, iOS exclusive platform, and Twitter Spaces has only been rolled out to a limited select number of Twitter users.


Recommended For You
How to watch 'Lisa Frankenstein' at home: When is it streaming?
Kathryn Newton and Cole Sprouse in 'Lisa Frankenstein'


How to watch NC State vs. Marquette basketball without cable
DJ Horne #0 of the North Carolina State Wolfpack drives to the basket as Blake Lampman #11 of the Oakland Golden Grizzlies defends during the first half of a game in the second round of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at PPG PAINTS Arena on March 23, 2024, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

How to watch Gonzaga vs. Purdue basketball without cable
Purdue Boilermakers guard Lance Jones (55) starts a fast break during the Purdue Boilermakers versus the Utah State Aggies in the second round of the NCAA Division I Championship on March 24, 2024, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana.

How to watch Tennessee vs. Creighton basketball without cable
Ryan Kalkbrenner #11 of the Creighton Bluejays goes to the basket in the first half of the game against the Oregon Ducks during the second round of the 2024 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament held at PPG PAINTS Arena on March 23, 2024, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

More in Tech
Celebrate spring blooms with flowery Lego sets on sale for 20% off at Amazon
a woman builds a bouquet of lego flowers




When is the last day to file taxes?
A person at their computer holding a note that reads "tax time."

Trending on Mashable
NYT Connections today: See hints and answers for March 28
A phone displaying the New York Times game 'Connections.'

NYT Connections today: See hints and answers for March 29
A phone displaying the New York Times game 'Connections.'

Wordle today: Here's the answer and hints for March 29
a phone displaying Wordle


Wordle today: Here's the answer and hints for March 28
a phone displaying Wordle
The biggest stories of the day delivered to your inbox.
This newsletter may contain advertising, deals, or affiliate links. Subscribing to a newsletter indicates your consent to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You may unsubscribe from the newsletters at any time.
Thanks for signing up. See you at your inbox!