TLDR: Following significant artist backlash over a broadly worded AI clause in its February 2024 Terms of Use, SoundCloud has updated its policy. CEO Eliah Seton clarified that the platform has never used user content to train generative AI models for replication or replacement, and the revised terms now explicitly require opt-in consent for any such future use, reinforcing the company’s stance that AI should support, not replace, artists.
SoundCloud, a prominent music streaming platform, has recently revised its Artificial Intelligence (AI) policy following a wave of criticism from its artist community. The controversy stemmed from a quiet update to the platform’s Terms of Use in February 2024, which included a clause stating that users ‘explicitly agree that your Content may be used to inform, train, develop, or serve as input to artificial intelligence technologies as part of and for providing the services.’ This broad language sparked widespread concern among musicians and creators who feared their original works could be used without explicit consent to train generative AI models capable of mimicking or replacing human artistry.
In response to the growing backlash, SoundCloud CEO Eliah Seton issued an open letter titled ‘A Letter from our CEO: Clarifying our Terms of Use.’ In this letter, Seton unequivocally stated that SoundCloud has ‘never used artist content to train AI models. Not for music creation. Not for large language models. Not for anything that tries to mimic or replace your work. Period.’ He further emphasized that the company does not build generative AI tools itself, nor does it permit third parties to scrape or use content from SoundCloud for AI training purposes. Seton also highlighted existing protections, such as a ‘no AI’ tag, designed to explicitly signal that content on the platform cannot be used for AI training.
The CEO explained that the initial February 2024 update was intended to clarify how SoundCloud might use AI internally to enhance the platform’s functionality for both artists and fans. This internal use includes powering smarter recommendations, improving search capabilities, optimizing playlisting, facilitating content tagging, and developing tools to prevent fraud. Seton reiterated the company’s core philosophy: ‘Our position is simple: AI should support artists, not replace them.’
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To address the community’s concerns directly, SoundCloud has now updated its Terms of Use. The revised policy explicitly states: ‘We will not use Your Content to train generative AI models that aim to replicate or synthesize your voice, music, or likeness without your explicit consent, which must be affirmatively provided through an opt-in mechanism.’ This change signifies a commitment to consent, transparency, and artist control regarding the use of their content in relation to AI. The company also noted its acquisition of Musiio three years prior, which expanded its AI and machine learning capabilities specifically for discovery and connecting creators with listeners, rather than for generative purposes. SoundCloud affirms that any future opportunities involving generative AI for the benefit of artists would be made available only with their explicit, opt-in consent.
