SoundCloud Now Permits AI Training With User Content
▼ Summary
– SoundCloud updated its terms on February 7, 2024, allowing it to use uploaded content to train or develop AI technologies.
– The terms exclude content under separate agreements with third-party rightsholders, such as major record labels.
– SoundCloud users have no explicit opt-out option for AI training in the platform’s settings, raising ethical concerns.
– SoundCloud claims its AI use is limited to platform improvements like recommendations and fraud detection, not generative AI training.
– Other platforms like X, LinkedIn, and YouTube have also updated policies to permit AI training on user content, sparking backlash.
SoundCloud has updated its terms of service to permit the use of user-uploaded content for AI training, though the company insists it hasn’t actively employed this capability yet. The revised policy, which took effect in February, grants the platform broad rights to leverage uploaded music and audio for machine learning purposes, sparking debate among creators and industry observers.
The updated terms state that users “explicitly agree” their content may be used to “inform, train, develop, or serve as input” for AI technologies. While the language is broad, SoundCloud clarified that the change primarily applies to internal AI applications—such as recommendation algorithms, fraud detection, and content organization—rather than third-party scraping or generative AI model training.
Critics, including tech ethicist Ed Newton-Rex, raised concerns about transparency, noting the policy shift occurred without prominent notification to users. SoundCloud maintains that existing licensing agreements with major labels and publishers remain unaffected, ensuring rights holders retain control over commercial AI usage. However, independent artists without separate contracts may find their work subject to these terms unless they adjust privacy settings.
The move aligns with broader industry trends. Platforms like X (formerly Twitter), LinkedIn, and YouTube have similarly amended policies to accommodate AI development, often triggering backlash over consent and compensation. Unlike some competitors, SoundCloud hasn’t introduced an explicit opt-out mechanism, though it emphasizes ethical safeguards, including a “no AI” tag to block unauthorized scraping.
In a statement, SoundCloud stressed its commitment to “supporting human artists” through responsible AI integration, citing tools like Musiio for catalog management rather than generative AI training. The company pledged ongoing dialogue with creators as legal and commercial standards evolve.
While the policy update raises questions about data usage, SoundCloud’s stance reflects a balancing act between innovation and creator rights—a challenge increasingly faced by platforms reliant on user-generated content. Whether artists accept these terms or demand greater control may shape future platform policies across the music and tech industries.
(Source: TechCrunch)
