- WeTransfer has modified its terms to allow the use of user files for AI.
- The social reaction led to the withdrawal of the most controversial clause.
- The platform assures that it will not use files to train AI, only for moderation.
- The debate raises renewed questions about privacy and user rights in digital services.
In the last weeks, WeTransfer, one of the most popular platforms for sending large files, is has been at the center of an intense debate on the Internet due to a change in its usage policy. The update of its terms generated concern among users suggesting that uploaded documents, photos and videos could be used in the development and training of their artificial intelligence (AI) technologies).
The stir has been such that the Dutch company has been forced to clarify its position, modify the controversial clause and act quickly to try to regain the trust of millions of customers. The episode brings to the table the Common questions about privacy and rights when using free or cloud services.
The origin of the controversy: a clause that changes everything
The controversy began as a result of a Modification introduced at the end of June in the terms and conditions of WeTransferThe new text established that, in order to operate and improve the service, The user granted the company a perpetual, worldwide, uncompensated license to use its filesAnd the most delicate thing: the clause expressly mentioned as Possible purpose: training machine learning models, which caused immediate alarm, especially among creative and business professionals.
El change was not to take effect until August 8, but in just a few days, hundreds of messages on social media and forums highlighted the potential risks of giving away rights to private and copyrighted materials. Artists, designers and other professionals publicly expressed their rejection and concern, fearing that their works could be used as a basis for training AI systems without their consent or financial compensation.
The controversy particularly affected the creative sector, which is a leading player in using the platform to share projects, illustrations, and unpublished works.
WeTransfer's quick response and the legal nuances
Faced with the wave of criticism and the viralization of the news, WeTransfer rectified and reformulated the controversial clauseAccording to the company itself, the initial goal was to strengthen its content moderation system using artificial intelligence, especially to detect potential abuse, illegal materials, or the spread of harmful content. However, They acknowledged that the initial wording had been too broad and open to interpretation. that did not reflect the reality of their operations.
La The revised version of the terms no longer mentions the development of new technologies or the use of the files to train AI models. outside the moderation and internal functioning of the service. WeTransfer now claims it does not use user files to feed AI algorithms across the board. nor to sell them to third parties, emphasizing that the intellectual property remains with the user and that the use granted is strictly necessary to operate the service.
Legally, granting a license to use files is common on platforms of this type, as they require the management and transfer of files between users. However, the The breadth of the applications permitted by the original wording created significant uncertainty.
The impact on the community and user trust
The controversy not only highlighted The lack of transparency of many technology companies when communicating legal changes that affect user rights, but also rekindled the debate about how far digital platforms can go in using the data and information entrusted to them.
Many users have expressed their disappointment at what happened and, although the company claims to have clarified the misunderstanding, some have expressed their intention to seek more restrictive alternatives to WeTransfer in terms of data processingIn parallel, the situation is reminiscent of other recent ones, such as the controversies with Meta and Dropbox, which also had to tweak their policies to avoid similar scandals.
The case has also served as a reminder that by agreeing to the legal terms of any service, Clauses may be included that grant very broad rights to the platform about everything we share, even if the final purpose is legitimate or limited to technical operability.
Tips and alternatives for concerned users
In situations like this, Privacy experts recommend taking extreme precautions when it comes to sharing particularly sensitive or copyright-protected files. Some of the most common recommendations are:
- Do not upload confidential content to the platform or critical if there is no complete certainty about its treatment.
- Opt for alternative services such as , which in some cases allow greater control over authorized uses of the data.
- Use self-hosted systems when maximum privacy is required, even if this implies additional cost and greater technical complexity.
- Read the terms of use carefully of any service, especially when the work or material has a high professional, commercial or intellectual value.
For the moment, Those who choose to continue using WeTransfer must accept the updated version of the terms, which, although more precise, continues to grant a license to use the restricted company, according to the company itself, to technical tasks essential to the provision of the service.
This episode demonstrates the challenges posed by the advancement of artificial intelligence and cloud data management, and the importance of demanding transparency from technology companies about how they use the personal or professional information we entrust to them. For individual users or businesses, the key is to be well informed and take precautions if handling particularly sensitive or protected content.
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