Adobe’s updated Terms of Use have come under fire. The updated terms stipulate that Adobe has the right to “access your content through both automated and manual methods.”
Content is defined as “any text, information, communication, or material, such as audio files, video files, electronic documents, or images, that you upload, import into, embed for use by, or create using the Services and Software.”
Purportedly, according to section 2.2 of the Adobe updated Terms of Use, this access to user’s content may extend to analyzing it via machine learning. Which some users believe is basically a fancy way of saying that Adobe will use users’ content to train its generative AI services.
Creators outraged at Adobe’s updated terms of service
“Am I reading this right?” artist Sam Santala asked, sharing screenshots of the amended policy on X. “I can’t use Photoshop unless I’m okay with you having full access to anything I create with it, INCLUDING NDA work?”
“As an outsource studio owner and freelance concept artist, I find it hard to see if Adobe policies are tantamount to any possibility of someone seeing what I’m working on, automated or not, how I could ever in good faith sign an NDA with a client whilst protecting their rights and my name as a professional,” Santala told Passionfruit.
Another creator said: “If you are a professional, if you are under NDA with your clients, if you are a creative, a lawyer, a doctor or anyone who works with proprietary files — it is time to cancel Adobe, delete all the apps and programs. Adobe can not be trusted.”
Users also noted that, even if they choose to opt out the content analysis, Adobe says it can still access your content in certain “limited circumstances.” Or, as another creator puts it, you still “can’t completely opt out” of this.
Adobe did not respond to our request for comment to clarify this policy.
Adobe’s response
Adobe’s Substance 3D product director Jérémie Noguer addressed creators’ concerns in a post on X. He said, “We are not accessing or reading Substance users’ projects in any way, shape or form nor are we planning to or have any means to do it in the first place.”
It’s also worth noting that in section 2.2, Adobe stipulates that it will only be accessing this work “in limited ways” and “as permitted by law.” But that hasn’t left creators feeling any more at ease.
Speaking to Passionfruit, artist Santala says he remains concerned, particularly because he cannot seem to proceed to delete his Adobe account or contact customer service through the app without accepting the new terms.
“I also find Adobe’s (likely ill-thought-out) implementation of a policy like this, and how to question it, both funny and distressing,” Santala said. “That is, not being able to cancel my subscription, uninstall the program, or even use their contact services, despite the huge contact button on their new terms and conditions.”
