SoundCloud updates terms on AI training for content

SoundCloud updated its terms of use in February 2024 to include provisions for training AI models on user-uploaded content. However, the company clarified it has not yet used any artist content for this purpose.

Marni Greenberg, SVP and head of communications, said in an email to The Verge that third-party AI training with SoundCloud content is prohibited.

She also highlighted technical safeguards like a “no AI” tag to prevent unauthorized use.

The platform currently uses AI for features like personalized recommendations and fraud detection, with similar plans ahead.

Licensed content from major labels is excluded from AI training. Other user-uploaded content could be used in the future, but Greenberg said SoundCloud would implement internal controls and offer opt-out options for creators.

The changes were made quietly, prompting concern among users, as the platform’s promise of “prominent notice” doesn’t always include direct alerts like emails.

🔗 Source: The Verge

🧠 Food for thought

1️⃣ Music platforms face growing pressure to implement ethical AI frameworks

SoundCloud’s situation reflects a broader industry trend where platforms are being forced to establish clear boundaries around AI and user content.

Over 400 music organizations have already published formal AI ethics statements addressing training data, copyright concerns, and fair value distribution for creators 1.

Major labels like Warner Music Group and Sony Music have established explicit policies prohibiting unauthorized AI training on their content, setting industry precedents for how platforms should approach AI usage 1.

This pressure intensified when more than 200 musical artists signed an open letter urging tech platforms to stop using their content for AI training without permission, showing the organized resistance against unconsented AI usage 2.

The industry is moving toward standardized licensing frameworks specifically designed to address AI challenges, with transparency around training data sources becoming a central requirement 1.

2️⃣ Streaming platforms are developing inconsistent approaches to AI-generated music

While SoundCloud clarifies its terms around AI usage, other major platforms are establishing their own distinct policies, creating a fragmented landscape for creators.