SoundCloud faces backlash over announcement-less AI terms in user agreement

SoundCloud’s quiet addition of an AI training clause to its terms of service has sparked user concern, becoming the latest in a series of controversies where tech companies claim broad rights to use creative content for AI development. This incident highlights the growing tension between digital platforms’ AI ambitions and creators’ rights to control how their work is used, especially as companies increasingly look to leverage user-generated content for advancing their AI capabilities.

The big picture: SoundCloud has joined a growing list of tech companies facing backlash after adding ambiguous AI training provisions to their terms of service without clear communication to users.

• The music streaming platform quietly added language stating users “explicitly agree that your Content may be used to inform, train, develop or serve as input to artificial intelligence.”
• Tech commenter Ed Newton-Rex discovered and highlighted the change, which was implemented without any announcement to users.

Why this matters: The controversy mirrors similar incidents at other creative platforms, indicating a broader industry trend of companies attempting to secure AI training rights to user content.

• Adobe faced significant backlash in June 2024 when it updated terms for apps like Photoshop, with professionals concerned the company was claiming rights to access, use, and potentially sub-license their content.
• These terms changes often leave creators with a difficult choice: agree to potentially expansive licensing of their work or lose access to platforms where they’ve built their presence.

What they’re saying: SoundCloud has attempted to clarify its position after the clause was discovered, insisting it has not used creator content for AI training purposes.

• The company stated: “SoundCloud has never used artist content to train Al models, nor do we develop Al tools or allow third parties to scrape or use SoundCloud content from our platform for Al training purposes.”
• According to their statement provided to TechCrunch, any future AI applications would be limited to supporting human artists through improved recommendations, playlist generation, content organization, and fraud detection.

Between the lines: The ambiguous wording in these terms updates reveals a troubling pattern of companies securing broad rights while providing vague explanations about their intended use.

• SoundCloud’s implementation of a “no AI” tag suggests the company recognizes creator concerns about unauthorized AI use, yet the terms language appears to contradict this position.
• As 9to5Mac notes, companies would benefit from explicitly stating what they will and won’t do with user content, rather than relying on broad, ambiguous legal language that inevitably creates user distrust.