SoundCloud, an audio file sharing service, quietly changes its terms of use to allow audio data to be used for AI learning, but mentions that 'users' audio files are not used for AI learning,' and promises to notify and enable opt-out when using them

It has been reported that the audio file sharing service SoundCloud has quietly changed its terms of service to allow users to train AI with audio files uploaded by users. In response, SoundCloud has commented that it has never used audio files uploaded by users to train AI.

SoundCloud changes policies to allow AI training on user content | TechCrunch
https://techcrunch.com/2025/05/09/soundcloud-changes-policies-to-allow-ai-training-on-user-content/

Tech ethicist Ed Newton-Rex points out that SoundCloud's terms of service have been changed, making it possible to 'inform, train, and develop' AI based on uploaded content. Newton-Rex points out that no notification email was sent regarding the update to the terms of service. According to TechCrunch, which reported on this, SoundCloud's terms of service were updated on February 7, 2024.

SoundCloud seems to claim the right to train on people's uploaded music in their terms. I think they have major questions to answer over this.

I checked the wayback machine - it seems to have been added to their terms on 12th Feb 2024. I'm a SoundCloud user and I can't see any… pic.twitter.com/NIk7TP7K3C

— Ed Newton-Rex (@ednewtonrex) May 9, 2025

The terms of service state, 'You expressly consent to your Content being used to inform, train, develop, or as input to any artificial or machine intelligence technology or services as part of or for the provision of the Services.'

In addition, SoundCloud has numerous licensing agreements with major music publishers such as Universal Music and Warner Music Group, as well as independent labels, but TechCrunch points out that these contracts with record labels are completely separate.

SoundCloud has partnered with nearly 10 vendors to bring AI-powered tools for remixing, vocal generation, and custom sample creation to the platform. In fall 2024, SoundCloud explained that these AI partners will be given access to their Content ID solution to 'ensure that rights holders receive appropriate credit and compensation ' and 'commit to maintaining ethical and transparent AI operations that respect the rights of creators.'

In response to TechCrunch's report, SoundCloud's SVP and Head of Communications Marni Greenberg provided a statement to tech media outlet The Verge regarding the changes to its terms of service.

SoundCloud says it isn't using your music to train generative AI tools | The Verge
https://www.theverge.com/news/664683/soundcloud-denies-training-ai-with-user-music

'SoundCloud has never used artists' content to train AI models, nor do we develop AI tools or allow third parties to scrape or use content from our platform for AI training purposes. In fact, we have technical safeguards, including displaying 'no AI' tags on our site, to explicitly prohibit any unauthorized use,' Greenberg said in a statement, explaining that the changes to the terms of service are not intended to use audio files for AI training.

He also explained that the reason for updating the terms of service was 'to clarify how content on the SoundCloud platform will work with AI technology. In addition, SoundCloud uses AI for personalized recommendation features and fraud detection, and plans to use AI on the platform in the future are in line with that.

When asked by The Verge whether it would be possible to choose not to use the audio files he uploaded to train AI, Greenberg said, 'The terms of service clearly prohibit the use of licensed content, such as major label songs, to train any AI model, including generative AI. For other types of content uploaded to SoundCloud, the terms of service allow for AI-related use. The important thing here is that such use has not been done to date. SoundCloud will implement robust internal rights management to manage possible future uses. If we consider using user content to train generative AI models, we will at least implement a clear opt-out mechanism in advance and strive to maintain transparency to the creator community.' He hinted at the possibility of using audio files for AI training, but promised that when this happens, users will be notified in advance and be able to opt out.

SoundCloud explains that it will 'notify you conspicuously' of any significant changes to its terms of service, but as Newton-Rex points out, it did not notify you when the terms of service were changed in February 2024. Wes Davis of The Verge also said, 'I am also a contributor to SoundCloud, and as far as I can tell, I have not seen any emails about changes to the terms of service,' and that even if users' audio files are used for AI learning, 'there is no guarantee that you will be notified by email.'