SoundCloud backtracks on ‘too broad’ AI phrases of service

SoundCloud is updating its Phrases of Use once more after angering users with language round AI that even the corporate now describes as “too broad.” The main points of the change have been shared in an open letter from SoundCloud CEO Eliah Seton affirming the corporate’s dedication to artists.

Particularly, SoundCloud’s Phrases of Use now forbids the corporate from utilizing content material uploaded to SoundCloud to coach generative AI that replicates an artist with out their consent. Because it’s phrased within the new phrases SoundCloud is rolling out within the subsequent few weeks:

Seton additionally reiterated that Soundcloud has by no means used “artist content material” to coach AI. “Not for music creation. Not for big language fashions. Not for something that tries to imitate or exchange your work,” Seton writes.

The battle over SoundCloud’s strategy to AI began when users noticed that the corporate had up to date its Phrases of Use in February 2024 to permit SoundCloud to make use of content material to “inform, practice, develop or function enter to artificial intelligence or machine intelligence applied sciences or providers as a part of and for offering the providers.”

SoundCloud claims that it could solely ever use artist’s content material to coach AI music discovery instruments. The corporate acquired Musiio in 2022 with that actual concept in thoughts. Nonetheless, it is comprehensible that SoundCloud customers could be delicate to any AI-related modifications the corporate makes. Like most different content material saved on-line, AI firms have scraped music with out artists’ consent and been fairly open about it.