Adobe’s recent changes to its terms of service have caused backlash among its user base, as they now allow the company to access user content for content moderation purposes. The changes clarify that Adobe may access user content through automated and manual methods to detect and remove illegal content, abusive behavior, spam, and phishing. These changes are in response to the advancement of generative AI technology, which has made it easier to create realistic images and human-sounding text and audio. Other tech companies like Google and Microsoft also use similar methods for content moderation.
The changes to Adobe’s terms of service include four key updates, such as the company reserving the right to remove or restrict access to content if it violates the terms, shortening the time period for filing a dispute, and the ability to delete content from inactive accounts. The creative community has expressed concern over these changes, as the broad language could potentially allow Adobe to scan and review any content passing through its apps or Cloud servers. This has raised privacy and security concerns among users, especially those who handle sensitive content like NDA-protected files.
Many creators have voiced their anger over these changes, particularly those who rely on Adobe products for professional work. The issue of NDA-protected content being potentially exposed to Adobe’s scrutiny has caused significant alarm. Attempts to address these concerns with Adobe’s customer service have reportedly been met with resistance, with some users unable to cancel subscriptions or uninstall software without agreeing to the new terms of service. This has further fueled the discontent within the creative community.
In response to the backlash, Adobe has clarified that the content analysis is only performed on files stored on its servers and not on users’ devices. The company insists that it does not analyze content stored locally on users’ PCs. Adobe also emphasized that the focus of the updates was to improve moderation processes and incorporate more human review into content submissions. The company’s blog post reiterated that they do not train their AI using files stored on Adobe Cloud, further reassuring users about the use of their data.
While the recent changes to Adobe’s terms of service have sparked controversy and criticism, the company maintains that its practices have not fundamentally changed. Adobe has been using similar language for years and claims that the recent updates were aimed at enhancing moderation processes and incorporating responsible innovation. Despite the pushback from users, Adobe’s stance on content analysis on its cloud servers remains consistent, emphasizing that user data stored locally on devices is not subject to scanning or analysis by the company.
