Adobe Terms Update Sparks Outrage Among Pro Users


A recent change to Adobe's terms of service caused widespread alarm and confusion among professional users of its software. The initial reaction was sparked by what appeared to be alarming new language in the terms, leading many to believe Adobe was claiming ownership rights over their work.


The situation was exacerbated by Adobe's initial response, which many found dismissive. The company stated that the terms had been in place for years and that the recent changes were simply clarifications. However, this explanation did little to quell the concerns of users, who were frustrated by the mandatory acceptance of the new terms to continue using the apps, request support, or even uninstall the software.


Prominent professionals were vocal in their criticism, fearing the implications of the new wording. Speculations included the potential for Adobe to generate thumbnails of user work and perform CSAM scanning, both of which were later confirmed by the company.


Adobe's Initial and Subsequent Statements


Adobe's initial statement was perceived as dismissive, emphasizing that the policy had been in place for many years and that the recent update was intended to clarify the circumstances under which Adobe may access user content. The company cited the necessity for these access rights to support innovative features like Photoshop Neural Filters and Adobe Express's Remove Background tool, as well as to enforce content policies. They assured users that local content on their devices would not be accessed.


Recognizing that this response did not adequately address user concerns, Adobe issued a more detailed explanation via a blog post. This follow-up aimed to provide greater transparency about the content checks Adobe performs, including a change-log to highlight the specific amendments made.


Detailed Clarification and Assurances


In the blog post, Adobe explained that the update was meant to clarify improvements to their content moderation processes, especially in light of the rapid development of generative AI technologies. Adobe has incorporated more human oversight into their review processes, alongside automated scanning systems. Automated flags are now escalated for human review, particularly in cases of CSAM and other violations of the terms of use, such as spamming or hosting adult content in non-designated areas.


Adobe also confirmed that the creation of thumbnails is one of the reasons behind the terms. 


Key Assurances to Users


To address the core of the concerns, Adobe provided two crucial assurances:

1. **AI Training Data**: Adobe clarified that its Firefly generative AI models are not trained on customer content. Instead, these models use a dataset comprising licensed content, such as Adobe Stock, and public domain content where copyrights have expired. More details are available on Adobe's [Firefly FAQ page](https://helpx.adobe.com/firefly/faq.html#training-data).

2. **Content Ownership**: Adobe reaffirmed that it does not and will not assume ownership of customers' work. The company hosts content solely to enable customers to utilize its applications and services. Customers retain full ownership of their content.


Adobe also committed to clarifying the Terms of Use acceptance screen that customers encounter when opening the applications, aiming to prevent future misunderstandings and ensure that users fully understand the terms they are agreeing to.


This controversy underscores the importance of clear communication between technology companies and their users, especially when it comes to sensitive issues such as content ownership and data usage. By addressing these concerns directly, Adobe hopes to rebuild trust and reassure its user base of its commitment to their rights and privacy.