SoundCloud’s Current Terms Allow AI Training on User Content, Company Denies Practice
Recently, a section of SoundCloud’s terms and conditions, which permits the company to train AI using user-submitted content, sparked concern among content creators. In response, SoundCloud has clarified that it has never engaged in such practices.
This policy, reportedly added in February 2024, gained traction after Fairly Trained Founder Ed Newton-Rex highlighted it on X. The terms state, “You explicitly agree that your Content may be used to inform, train, develop or serve as input to artificial intelligence or machine intelligence technologies or services as part of and for providing the services.”
Newton-Rex voiced concerns about the implications for generative AI models, stating, “If so, I’ll remove my music and would encourage others to do the same. I’m trying to give them the benefit of the doubt before removing my music and hope they address this ASAP.”
SoundCloud responded, with their SVP and head of communications, Marni Greenberg, asserting in a statement shared with The Verge, “SoundCloud has never used artist content to train AI models, nor do we develop AI tools or allow third parties to scrape or use SoundCloud content from our platform for AI training purposes. In fact, we implemented technical safeguards, including a ‘no AI’ tag on our site to explicitly prohibit unauthorized use.”
So, what is the purpose of the terms allowing AI training? SoundCloud claims it is to enhance features that benefit content uploaders.
Greenberg elaborated, “Any future application of AI at SoundCloud will be designed to support human artists, enhancing the tools, capabilities, reach, and opportunities available to them on our platform. Examples include improving music recommendations, generating playlists, organizing content, and detecting fraudulent activity. These efforts are aligned with existing licensing agreements and ethical standards.”
Founded in 2007, SoundCloud has over 140 million users, with around 40 million being content creators. According to the latest IMS Business Report, the platform experienced a 14% increase in electronic music genres in 2024.
