Backlash on WeTransfer underscores the significance of intelligent AI use
WeTransfer, the popular file-sharing service, has reassured its users that their content is not being used for AI model training, following an update to its terms of service that initially caused concern.
Earlier this month, the company revised its terms, which initially seemed to allow the use of customer content for improving machine learning models. This revelation led to consternation among some customers, with concerns about AI model training and the potential misuse of their content.
However, WeTransfer has since issued a clarification, stating that it does not intend to use uploaded content for AI training and has rewritten the clause to avoid misunderstanding. The company insists it does not sell user content to third parties and does not use AI in connection with customer content.
The revised section of WeTransfer's terms of service now grants a royalty-free license to use customer content for operating, developing, and improving the service. It is important to note that such a feature hasn't been built or used in practice by WeTransfer.
The troubling episode serves as a lesson for other online companies to be clearer about how they handle user data to avoid misunderstandings and potential backlash over AI. AI companies using content without asking for permission or offering compensation is a point of concern for many creators, particularly artists, musicians, and writers.
On Tuesday, WeTransfer stated that "your content is always your content," aiming to alleviate the concerns of its users. The controversy highlights the growing sensitivity among people toward having their content used for AI model training.
The updated terms of service will go into effect on August 8, 2025. WeTransfer has reassured users that their data is not being used for AI model training, despite the initial concerns raised by the updates.
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Technology companies like WeTransfer employ data-and-cloud-computing to develop and enhance their services. However, WeTransfer stresses that it does not use AI technology to analyze or train models on user uploaded content.
