WeTransfer says recordsdata not used to coach AI after backlash

WeTransfer has confirmed it doesn’t use recordsdata uploaded to their service to coach synthetic intelligence (AI) fashions.

The file sharing firm had acquired numerous criticism from clients on social media after altering its phrases of service, which some interpreted as permitting it the proper to make use of recordsdata for AI coaching.

A WeTransfer spokeswoman instructed BBC Information: “We do not use machine studying or any type of AI to course of content material shared by way of WeTransfer, nor will we promote content material or information to any third events.”

The agency has now up to date its phrases, saying it has “made the language simpler to know” to keep away from confusion.

WeTransfer stated the clause was initially added to “embrace the potential of utilizing AI to enhance content material moderation” and to establish dangerous content material.

The phrases had stated WeTransfer might use content material for functions “together with to enhance efficiency of machine studying fashions that improve our content material moderation course of”.

It additionally included the proper for WeTransfer to “reproduce, distribute, modify,” or “publicly show” recordsdata uploaded to the service.

Some customers on social media interpreted this as WeTransfer giving itself the proper to share or promote the recordsdata uploaded by customers to AI firms.

Folks working within the inventive industries, together with an illustrator and an actor, posted on X to say they used the service to ship work and had been contemplating altering to various suppliers.

WeTransfer stated it up to date the clause on Tuesday, “as we have seen this passage could have induced confusion for our clients.”

Clause 6.3 within the phrases of service now says: “You hereby grant us a royalty-free license to make use of your Content material for the needs of working, growing, and enhancing the Service, all in accordance with our Privateness & Cookie Coverage.”

The modifications come into impact on 8 August for present customers.

The rival file-sharing platform Dropbox additionally needed to make clear it was not utilizing recordsdata uploaded to its service to coach AI fashions, after social media outcry in December 2023.