Adobe recently updated the terms and conditions for its widely-used Creative Cloud suite of photo and video editing apps, leading to a wave of protests from users. The new rules appeared to give Adobe rights to “access [user] content through both automated and manual methods, such as for content review.” Following the backlash, Adobe clarified on Friday in a direct quote: “We want to make it clear that we do not own artists' works nor will we use their content to train AI systems like Firefly. Our intention is to enhance the user experience and ensure responsible content moderation, not to infringe on user rights.”
User backlash over new terms
The controversy erupted on Thursday when Creative Cloud users could not use their apps, uninstall them, or contact customer support once they agreed to the new terms. Users expressed their frustration online.
“Hey @Photoshop, what was that new agreement you forced us to sign this morning that locked our app until we agreed? ” tweeted director Duncan Jones. “We are working on a bloody movie here, and no, you do not suddenly have the right to any of our work because we pay you to use Photoshop.”
Adobe initially responded with a statement:
“This policy has been in place for many years. As part of our commitment to transparency 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 several 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, and to take action against prohibited content. Adobe does not access, view, or listen to content stored locally on any user's device.”
Clarifying the terms
In a blog post on Friday, Adobe further explained its reasons for updating the terms and conditions. “The focus of this update was to be clearer about the improvements to our moderation processes that we have in place,” the Adobe Communications Team wrote. “Given the explosion of generative AI and our commitment to responsible innovation, we have added more human moderation to our content submission review processes. This means that while AI plays a significant role in content review, human moderators are also involved to ensure the highest level of privacy and data security.
Adobe explained that it needs to access user content for various reasons, such as “opening and editing files for the user or creating thumbnails or a preview for sharing,” or to apply AI-enhanced tools like Photoshop Neural Filters, Liquid Mode, or Remove Background. The company also uses machine learning systems in moderation reviews to screen for illegal content, such as spam and child sexual abuse material (CSAM). This use of AI is strictly for content moderation and enhancement, not for training AI models like Firefly Gen.
Adobe reiterates its stance that it does not use customer content to train Firefly Gen AI models and assures that it will never assume ownership of a customer's work. Adobe respects the fact that while it hosts content to enable customers to use its applications and services, the company stated, “Customers own their content, and Adobe does not assume any ownership of customer work.”
Next steps
Adobe is taking proactive steps to push a notification that will more clearly explain the changes to the changes to the Terms and Conditions when customers next open their editing apps. This move is a testament to our commitment to ensuring that users fully understand the updates and Adobe's stance on content ownership and AI training.
