WeTranfer Backtracks on Using User Files to Train AI
The filter sharing service has updated its policy to protect user information.
Recently, file-sharing service, WeTransfer, made changes to its terms and conditions. Initially, it said it reserved the right to train AI using files shared on the service. Now, the company has since updated its policy to clarify it won't do that.
Protection in Focus
WeTransfer clarified that it won't use the files you share to train AI models. In the last day, the company has seen significant backlash after users noticed new terms that said it would be able to train AI models on any files shared directly with WeTransfer.
The company has acted quickly, updating its terms and conditions to reassure users that it won’t use files to train AI models.
In a statement to the BBC, a WeTransfer spokesperson said, "We don't use machine learning or any form of AI to process content shared via WeTransfer, nor do we sell content or data to any third parties."
Important Changes
Since around late June or early July, the company's terms have shown changes expected to take effect on August 8. WeTransfer then changed its conditions with a further update on July 15.
The first change in terms that sparked the backlash read, “You hereby grant us a perpetual, worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free, transferable, sub-licensable license to use your Content for the purposes of operating, developing, commercializing, and improving the Service or new technologies or services, including to improve performance of machine learning models that enhance our content moderation process, in accordance with the Privacy & Cookie Policy.”
It didn't end there, with the statement also saying that WeTransfer owns "the right to reproduce, distribute, modify, prepare derivative works based upon, broadcast, communicate to the public, publicly display, and perform Content." It also said users wouldn’t see any payment when their content is used.
Clear Policy?
In WeTransfer's statement to the BBC, it said it had now “made the language easier to understand.” The company says it originally changed its terms to “include the possibility of using AI to improve content moderation” rather than it being designed to use submissions to train AI models.
The company was swift to update its policy, and there’s now no mention of AI models within this section of the policy. The shorter section now reads, “You hereby grant us a royalty-free license to use your Content for the purposes of operating, developing, and improving the Service, all in accordance with our Privacy & Cookie Policy."
WeTransfer has been on a replying spree on social media explaining to users that "We do not use AI to process your files."
