SoundCloud has updated its terms of service to permit the use of user-uploaded content for the purpose of training artificial intelligence. This change, spotted by tech ethicist Ed Newton-R…
SoundCloud has updated its terms of service to permit the use of user-uploaded content for the purpose of training artificial intelligence. This change, spotted by tech ethicist Ed Newton-Rex, grants SoundCloud the right to utilize content for AI development, as stated in the terms last updated in February 2024.
This move raises concerns among users regarding the potential exploitation of their creative work without explicit consent, especially given the platform's existing licensing agreements with major music publishers and indie labels. The updated terms include a provision that allows SoundCloud to use the content to inform, train, develop, or serve as input to AI technologies.
While the platform has implemented a "no AI" tag to prohibit unauthorized use, the terms don't offer an explicit opt-out option for users. This change aligns with a growing trend among content hosting platforms, such as X (formerly Twitter), LinkedIn, and YouTube, to incorporate AI training into their policies.
These platforms have been facing backlash from users who advocate for opt-in policies and demand credit and compensation for their contributions to AI training datasets. SoundCloud's spokesperson clarified that the platform has never used artist content to train AI models, nor does it allow third parties to scrape or use SoundCloud content for AI training purposes.
The February 2024 update was intended to clarify how content may interact with AI technologies within SoundCloud’s own platform for use cases like personalized recommendations, content organization, fraud detection, and improvements to content identification. Any future application of AI at SoundCloud will be designed to support human artists, enhancing the tools, capabilities, reach, and opportunities available to them on the platform.
This policy change and the subsequent clarification reflect the evolving landscape of AI and its integration with creative platforms. SoundCloud's response emphasizes its commitment to ethical AI practices and supporting artists. The platform intends to use AI to improve music recommendations, generate playlists, organize content, and detect fraudulent activity.
The company stated that it understands the concerns raised and will continue to keep its community informed.