Transferring Service Modifies Terms after Criticism on Licensing Rights Adjustments
WeTransfer, the popular file-sharing service, has recently updated its Terms of Service, sparking debates over intellectual property rights and the use of machine learning (ML) models.
The updated Terms of Service grant WeTransfer a broad, royalty-free license to use user files for operating, developing, and enhancing their services. Initially, this clause included explicit mention of machine learning and AI model training, causing a significant backlash from users and industry observers concerned about privacy and data rights.
Following the criticism, WeTransfer has revised Clause 6.3 in their terms of service, removing the explicit AI training language. A WeTransfer spokeswoman has assured that the company does not use machine learning or any form of AI to process user content, nor sell user data to third parties.
However, some advocates, such as The Society of Authors, have called for further explicit and irrevocable clarifications from WeTransfer, requesting assurances that user content will never be used to train or validate AI models, nor subjected to text/data mining or scraping for such purposes.
The new Terms of Service are set to go into effect on August 8. WeTransfer has changed the license section of the terms of service to address customer confusion. The company has also clarified that it does not monetize derivative works based on the transferred content without paying users.
The updated terms of service are in accordance with the WeTransfer's Privacy & Cookie Policy. It is worth noting that WeTransfer was initially considering the possibility of using AI for content moderation, but this aspect has not been explicitly mentioned in the updated terms.
Post-production professional Ashley Lynch highlighted potential conflicts with non-disclosure agreements with clients on the social media platform Bluesky. The updated terms of service do not allow WeTransfer to train artificial intelligence systems on any content transferred by users without explicit consent.
WeTransfer was founded in 2009 and has been a go-to platform for many art galleries, museums, and other art institutions, who use it to send digital images of artworks, exhibitions, and art fair presentations. The company was acquired by Italian technology company Bending Spoons last year.
In summary, WeTransfer has updated its Terms of Service, initially allowing AI training on user files, which sparked backlash. After criticism, the company removed explicit AI training language from the terms. WeTransfer officially states they do not use user content for ML/AI training nor sell user data. Some advocates seek stronger, clearer guarantees that user content will not be used in AI model development. This reflects a cautious stance balancing AI development interests and growing privacy/user trust concerns within WeTransfer’s current policies.
- Despite initial considerations, WeTransfer will not use AI for content moderation, as this has not been explicitly mentioned in the updated Terms of Service.
- Art institutions, such as museums and art galleries, frequently utilize WeTransfer to send digital images of artworks, exhibitions, and art fair presentations.
- The new Terms of Service specify that WeTransfer does not train artificial intelligence systems on any content transferred by users without explicit consent.
- The updated Terms of Service also clarify that WeTransfer does not monetize derivative works based on the transferred content without first paying the users.
