SoundCloud Revises AI-Related Terms of Service Following User Backlash
SoundCloud is updating its Terms of Use again after users expressed outrage over language related to AI that the company now acknowledges was “too broad.” The changes were detailed in an open letter from SoundCloud CEO Eliah Seton, reaffirming the company’s commitment to its artists.
The revised Terms of Use explicitly prohibit SoundCloud from using content uploaded to its platform to train generative AI that replicates an artist without their explicit consent. As stated in the new terms, which will be rolled out over the next few weeks:
We will not use Your Content to train generative AI models that aim to replicate or synthesize your voice, music, or likeness without your explicit consent, which must be affirmatively provided through an opt-in mechanism.
Seton emphasized that SoundCloud has never used “artist content” to train AI, stating, “Not for music creation. Not for large language models. Not for anything that tries to mimic or replace your work.”
The controversy began in February 2024 when users discovered that SoundCloud had updated its Terms of Use to allow the company to use content to “inform, train, develop or serve as input to artificial intelligence or machine intelligence technologies or services as part of and for providing the services.” SoundCloud maintained that it would only use artists’ content to develop AI music discovery tools, a plan consistent with its acquisition of Musiio in 2022.
Despite SoundCloud’s intentions, users were understandably sensitive to the AI-related changes. The practice of AI companies scraping music without artists’ consent has been widespread, making the update to SoundCloud’s terms a significant reassurance for its users.
