Adobe revises terms of service after facing backlash over recent modifications

Adobe Updates Terms of Service Following Backlash

Adobe is revising its terms of service to offer more clarity on matters concerning artificial intelligence (AI) and content ownership, following significant user dissatisfaction. In a recent statement, Adobe reaffirmed that user content remains the property of its creators and will not be utilized to train any generative AI tools. This declaration came from Scott Belsky, Adobe's head of product, and Dana Rao, the company's VP of legal and policy.

Subscribers to Adobe's popular software suites such as Photoshop, Premiere Pro, and Lightroom were alarmed by ambiguous terms suggesting that Adobe could potentially use their work to train its generative AI models. The concern extended to fears that the company might claim ownership over users' copyrighted materials. Adobe clarified that such interpretations were incorrect; the updated terms were intended for product improvement and content moderation, particularly to address legal concerns such as child sexual abuse material (CSAM).

Despite the clarifications, many users remained unconvinced, prompting Adobe to acknowledge its communication shortcomings. Belsky admitted, "We could have been clearer with the updated ToS." He emphasized the necessity for companies that manage customer data to transparently declare their policies within legally binding documents, especially in an era where data usage and AI model training provoke considerable anxiety.

In response, Adobe pledged to revamp the terms of service, using simpler language and practical examples to ensure customers better understand the clauses and their implications. This commitment follows a previous update featuring minor changes and no formal apology, which further aggravated users, leading to a mass subscription withdrawal from its Creative Cloud service.

Adobe maintains that its AI training is limited to Adobe Stock images, yet artists have reported finding AI-generated art on Adobe’s stock footage site that mimics their styles. This discovery has raised further concerns among the artistic community about the ethical implications of Adobe's practices.

The company's recent communication represents a more substantial effort to address user concerns, including a detailed explanation of planned changes. Adobe assured users that they have the option to opt out of product improvement programs and specified that licenses will be more precisely tailored to necessary activities. Additionally, the firm clarified that it only scans cloud-stored data and never accesses locally stored content.

Lastly, Adobe committed to actively listening to customer feedback as it implements the new changes, aiming to restore trust and align its practices more closely with user expectations and legal standards.