Adobe clarifies Terms of Service update which users alleged will help train its AI

Adobe is yet again in the firing line as the recent updates to its Terms of Service involving AI have sparked backlash. What has gone wrong this time around? Well, the revised terms for Adobe’s Creative Cloud Suite have some wording that is bothering users about their data privacy.

Adobe faces backlash over updated Terms of Service

The controversy sparked on Thursday, 6 June, as many Creative Cloud users’ got locked out from using the programs until the new terms were agreed to. Users alleged that they couldn’t uninstall the programs or even contact customer support unless they didn’t agree to the updated Terms of Use. 

Some users interpret that Adobe could access, view, or listen to their sensitive content including information protected by NDAs (non-disclosure agreements). 

As TechRadar points out, section 2.2 of the Updates to the Terms of Service states that Adobe might use techniques such as machine learning (ML) to scan the content of the users to improve its software and services. 

The updated Terms of Service have raised concerns among Adobe Creative users, with some even alleging that the company is keeping an eye on their work. And, it is doing so to train its AI models. Sounds familiar right? Back in April, several users alleged that AI features in apps like Acrobat and Acrobat Reader were scanning documents. However, Adobe later clarified the users’ concerns. 

Although the terms and conditions mention that Adobe does this to respond to Feedback or support requests; detect, prevent, or otherwise address fraud, security, legal, or technical issues; and enforce the Terms, users aren’t amused at all. 

With the change enforced on users with immediate effect, unhappy ones were quick to criticize Adobe for this. British film director, Duncan Jones, is among the people who have criticized the company.

Adobe clarifies the users’ concerns

That said, Adobe took to its blog to clarify its move to update the Terms of Service. The company wrote: 

The focus of this update was to be clearer about the improvements to our moderation processes that we have in place. Given the explosion of Generative AI and our commitment to responsible innovation, we have added more human moderation to our content submission review processes.

The company even pledged that it does not train Firefly Gen AI models on customer content and never assumes ownership of a customer’s work. Adobe’s spokesperson, who is also in line with the company’s clarification, says:

This policy has been in place for many years. As part of our commitment to being transparent with our customers, we added clarifying examples earlier this year to our Terms of Use regarding when Adobe may access user content. Adobe accesses user content for a number of reasons, including the ability to deliver some of our most innovative cloud-based features, such as Photoshop Neural Filters and Remove Background in Adobe Express, as well as to take action against prohibited content. Adobe does not access, view, or listen to content that is stored locally on any user’s device.

Some users don’t seem to buy the clarifications made by the company regarding its Terms of Service and cancel their Adobe subscriptions. Time will tell if Adobe lives up to its pledge after it faced backlash for updated terms and conditions involving AI. 

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