Adobe Revises Service Terms, Clarifies Use of User Content for AI Training

TapTechNews June 19th news, in the past few weeks, Adobe has triggered strong criticism from users due to updating its terms of service. On Tuesday of this week, the company announced the revised terms of service, clearly emphasizing that it will not use the content that users store locally or in the cloud to train AI models.

TapTechNews noticed that in the updated terms, several new subcategories were added to the part about Adobe accessing user content, and one of them specifically targets generative AI. The terms clearly state that Adobe's software will not use your local or cloud content to train generative AI models. However, there is one exception: If you submit your work to the AdobeStock material market, the company can use it to train an AI tool named AdobeFirefly.

Adobe's chief strategy officer, Scott Belsky, said that the update of the terms of service does not actually change the existing policy, but it was not clearly expressed before, resulting in misunderstandings. We are now clearly stating that we will not use your content to train generative AI models, Belsky said in an interview. This has always been the company's existing policy, but it was not clearly stated before.

The new terms also respond to users' concerns about Adobe scanning content protected by a non-disclosure agreement (NDA), emphasizing that the company will not scan or view local works stored on users' devices. Adobe will only automatically scan content uploaded to the cloud to ensure that we do not host illegal or abusive content, such as child sexual abuse material. Manual review will only occur when a work is flagged or reported as illegal, or if you choose to join a pre-release version, beta version, or Adobe product improvement program.

Earlier this month, after Adobe modified its terms of service, it caused an uproar. Users believed that the company could freely use their works for AI training. This dissatisfaction stems from creators' long-term dissatisfaction with Adobe's dominant position in the creative industry. Even the US federal government has noticed users' complaints. The Justice Department is suing Adobe, alleging that it concealed expensive cancellation fees and set up numerous obstacles to prevent users from canceling their subscriptions.