SoundCloud has updated its terms of service to grant the platform permission to use user-uploaded audio for training artificial intelligence (AI). The change, noticed by tech ethicist Ed Newton-Rex, now allows SoundCloud to use the content to “inform, train, [or] develop” AI and machine learning technologies as part of their services.

Terms of Service Update and User Agreement

The updated terms, which were revised on February 7, include a clause that users explicitly agree to their content being used for AI purposes. However, content that falls under existing agreements with third-party rights holders, like record labels, is excluded from this provision.

Lack of Opt-Out Option for Users

Though this change aims to boost SoundCloud’s AI capabilities, it does not appear to offer an opt-out option for users who may not want their content used in this way. SoundCloud has not yet responded to requests for comment on this matter.

SoundCloud’s Growing AI Integration

SoundCloud, like other major content platforms, has been increasingly integrating AI tools. Last year, the platform collaborated with various partners to bring AI-powered features for remixing, generating vocals, and creating custom samples. SoundCloud also introduced content ID solutions to ensure proper credit and compensation for rights holders, with a commitment to maintaining ethical AI practices that respect creators’ rights.

The Broader Trend of AI Training on User Content

This SoundCloud act has been part of a wider trend across social and media hosting sites: here the big ones-the trendsetters-have joined as per their own rules: mega-tweeters like X (previously known as Twitter), LinkedIn, and YouTube-more recently, added by some other terms related to AI training on user content, to be opposed by certain users. According to many, it should be in the form of opt-in policies, not opt-out, and the fact that the creators should get credit and compensation for their contributions to AI training datasets.

Rights of the Creators in A Continuing Debate Over AI Content Use

With the arrival of many platforms engaging with AI, the controversy over the way user material is utilized to create models grows, with most of the people demanding greater transparency and control in the ways their works are being utilized.