The Silent Policy Shift That Changes EVERYTHING

SoundCloud just pulled a classic “terms and conditions” sneak attack – and artists worldwide need to PAY ATTENTION. Buried in their February 7th update? A game-changing clause that turns your uploads into AI training material.

“You explicitly agree that your Content may be used to inform, train, develop or serve as input to artificial intelligence…”

SoundCloud’s Updated Terms of Service

What This REALLY Means for Creators

• Your music = AI food – Every upload now potentially trains the machines
• No clear opt-out – TechCrunch couldn’t find one in settings
• Major labels protected – Only indie creators left exposed

The AI Gold Rush Hits Music

SoundCloud isn’t alone in this power grab. The platform joins:

• X (Twitter) – Changed privacy policy in October 2024
• LinkedIn – Started scraping user data last September
• YouTube – Opened the floodgates in December

Why This Should Make You MAD

Tech ethicist Ed-Newton Rex spotted this first, but here’s what every creator needs to understand:

• This is opt-out by default – your consent is assumed
• No mention of compensation for your creative work
• AI tools trained on your music could compete with you later

“Uphold ethical and transparent AI practices that respect creators’ rights”

SoundCloud’s 2024 Blog Post Promise

The BATTLE Lines Are Drawn

While SoundCloud claims it’s working with partners to ensure “proper credit and compensation,” the reality is stark:

• Major labels have protections – you probably don’t
• Your creative DNA is being mined without explicit consent
• The AI music revolution is happening on your back

What You Can DO About It

This isn’t time for panic – it’s time for ACTION:

1. SCREAM about this on social media
2. DEMAND clear opt-out options
3. PRESSURE SoundCloud for transparency
4. CONSIDER where you host your music

Bottom line: The rules just changed without warning. If you care about your creative rights, now’s the time to make some noise.