SoundCloud has updated its Terms of Service to permit the use of user-uploaded content for artificial intelligence (AI) development. This change, implemented in February 2024, allows the platform to utilize user content to
“inform, train, develop or serve as input to artificial intelligence or machine intelligence technologies or services” .
The update has raised concerns among artists and digital rights advocates. Notably, the musical duo The Flight announced their decision to remove their content from SoundCloud, citing discomfort with the new terms .
In response to the backlash, SoundCloud clarified that it has not used artist content to train AI models and does not permit third parties to do so. The company emphasized that the updated terms aim to clarify the use of AI within its platform for features like personalized recommendations and content organization, not for training generative AI models .
Despite these assurances, the lack of an opt-out mechanism for independent artists remains a point of contention. While content governed by separate agreements with third-party rights holders is exempt from AI use, independent artists’ uploads are subject to the new terms by default .
This development aligns with a broader trend of digital platforms revising their policies to incorporate AI technologies, prompting ongoing debates about user consent and content usage rights.
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