Adobe is facing backlash over its recent updates to the terms of use for its generative AI products.
The revised terms, which affect more than 20 million users worldwide of the Adobe Creative Cloud Suite, contain language that some users interpret as allowing Adobe to access, view or listen to content, including confidential content such as information protected by non-disclosure agreements.
The updated terms of service have also raised concerns among creative users, with some alleging that Adobe could be monitoring their work and using it to train AI models.
Adobe criticized for its AI rules
Section 2.2 provides that Adobe may use techniques such as machine learning to analyze User Content to improve its services and software.
The company says this is to “respond to feedback and support requests, detect, prevent, or otherwise address fraud, security, legal, or technical issues, and enforce our Terms of Use.”
The new changes forced on users have led disgruntled customers to take to online platforms to share their opinions, especially over having to share personal and sensitive data with the California-based software company that could be used for AI training purposes.
An Adobe spokesperson said the policy is not new, but that the wording has simply been changed to make it clearer. Adobe reiterated that it accesses user content to provide cloud-based features and to take action against prohibited content, and emphasized that it does not access locally stored content.
Despite these reassurances, vague terms of use and the rise of generative AI have some users considering canceling their Adobe subscriptions.
As Adobe continues to address the legal, moral, and technical challenges surrounding the integration of generative AI technology, it must also address user concerns to maintain trust and transparency.
Tech Radar Pro We've asked Adobe to provide more information about the changes and will post any updates here.
