X has recently sparked outrage among its users by allowing its AI to learn from every post made on the platform. Following the announcement of new terms effective November 15, users noticed significant changes in the way their content is treated. According to the updated terms of service, users are granting X a worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free license to exploit their content for various purposes. This includes using the content for training the company’s machine learning and AI technology, which could include generative models.
This practice of using user-generated content to train AI has become a contentious issue, particularly as the technology continues to evolve. Many artists and creatives on X are worried about their work being utilized to train AI systems that could eventually replace human creators. Furthermore, users have expressed concerns about their personal information being leveraged in this manner, leading some to delete photographs from their accounts.
If users disagree with these new terms, they might find themselves facing legal disputes in a federal court known for being favorable to conservative activists. This court is already handling two lawsuits involving Musk-owned X. Notably, any disputes regarding these terms will be directed to the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas or to state courts in Tarrant County, which is located over 100 miles from X's new headquarters near Austin.
The new terms stipulate that continued use of X’s products or services after November 15 will be viewed as acceptance of these changes. Additionally, changes to data privacy protocols have raised concerns. X's AI chatbot, Grok, has faced controversies, including spreading misinformation related to the 2024 election and generating graphic fake images of prominent politicians. This dissatisfaction mirrors recent criticisms faced by major tech companies like Google and Microsoft regarding their AI tools.
Previously, X users could opt out of data sharing through specific settings labeled "data sharing and personalization." This included an option related to Grok. However, it’s uncertain whether these new terms eliminate that opt-out possibility. The updated terms give X explicit rights to license all content posted on its platform for AI training purposes, a practice that, while common in the industry, is more clearly defined in X's terms compared to other platforms.
Previously, X had claimed that content from private accounts would not be used to train Grok. Nonetheless, the new terms do not differentiate between types of accounts. The future remains uncertain, and it is possible that despite these new terms, options for opting out may still exist. According to Alex Fink, the CEO of Otherweb, companies often grant themselves more legal leeway than their users might anticipate based on menu options.
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