How WeTransfer reignited fears about training AI on user data

Dutch file-sharing service WeTransfer is under fire after users spotted sweeping updates to its terms of service that appeared to let the company train AI models on their uploaded files.

The company has now removed the controversial language, but users remain outraged. Here’s what’s going on — and why it matters.

What did WeTransfer change?

WeTransfer users discovered this week that the service had updated its policy with a clause granting it a perpetual, royalty‑free license to use user‑uploaded content, including for “improving machine learning models that enhance content moderation.” The changes were due to come into effect on August 8. 

That language was vague enough that many users — including children’s book writer Sarah McIntyre and comedian Matt Lieb — felt it opened the door for WeTransfer to use or even sell their files to train AI without permission or compensation.

How is this acceptable, @WeTransfer? You ...