SoundCloud, the global audio streaming platform known for supporting independent artists and underground music, has quietly updated its terms of service to allow user-uploaded content to be utilized in artificial intelligence development — a move that has raised questions among musicians and digital rights advocates.
The new policy, which went largely unnoticed until it was flagged by tech ethicist Ed Newton-Rex, grants SoundCloud permission to use content uploaded by users to “inform, train, develop or serve as input” to AI and machine learning technologies. The clause was added in an update to the company’s terms of use dated Feb. 7, 2024.
“You explicitly agree that your Content may be used to inform, train, develop or serve as input to artificial intelligence or machine intelligence technologies or services as part of and for providing the services,” the terms now read.
SoundCloud seems to claim the right to train on people’s uploaded music in their terms. I think they have major questions to answer over this.
I checked the wayback machine – it seems to have been added to their terms on 12th Feb 2024. I’m a SoundCloud user and I can’t see any… pic.twitter.com/NIk7TP7K3C
— Ed Newton-Rex (@ednewtonrex) May 9, 2025
The change marks a significant policy shift, especially for a company that has long marketed itself as a creator-first platform. While SoundCloud clarified that it does not currently use artist content to train AI models nor allow scraping by third parties, the updated language suggests the platform is preparing to integrate AI more deeply into its user experience — and potentially, its business model.
Licensing Agreements and Limitations
According to the updated terms, content governed by “separate agreements” with third-party rights holders, including music labels and publishers, is exempt from AI use. SoundCloud holds licensing agreements with major music companies such as Universal Music Group and Warner Music Group, as well as a variety of independent labels.
However, for the millions of independent artists who upload music directly to the platform without the backing of a label, the terms appear to apply in full — and without a clear opt-out mechanism.
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A search of SoundCloud’s user settings does not reveal any option to limit or decline the use of one’s content for AI-related activities. As of this writing, the company has not provided a simple method for artists to exclude their tracks from AI training datasets or other machine learning processes.
SoundCloud did not initially respond to requests for comment. However, following public scrutiny, the company issued a clarification via email that sought to calm growing concerns.
SoundCloud Responds to Backlash
In an emailed statement, a SoundCloud spokesperson stated that the company has not used artist content to train generative AI models and has no plans to do so without consent.
“SoundCloud has never used artist content to train AI models, nor do we develop AI tools or allow third parties to scrape or use SoundCloud content from our platform for AI training purposes,” the spokesperson wrote. “We implemented technical safeguards, including a ‘no AI’ tag on our site to explicitly prohibit unauthorized use.”
The company clarified that its updated terms were intended to reflect how SoundCloud internally uses AI — for purposes such as improving recommendation algorithms, detecting fraudulent behavior, organizing music libraries, and enhancing content identification tools.
“Our intention is to support human creativity, not replace it,” the spokesperson added. “Any future application of AI at SoundCloud will be designed to support human artists, enhancing the tools, capabilities, reach, and opportunities available to them on our platform.”
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Growing Trend Across the Industry
SoundCloud is not the only digital platform adjusting its policies to accommodate AI integration. In recent months, several tech companies and social platforms have quietly revised their terms to allow for AI training on user-generated content.
In October 2024, X (formerly Twitter) modified its privacy policy to allow third parties to train AI models on user posts. Around the same time, LinkedIn updated its terms to permit scraping of profile data for AI development. And in December, YouTube changed its policies to allow the use of certain videos for external AI training, raising alarms among video creators.
These changes have sparked debates around digital consent, transparency, and compensation. Critics argue that users — particularly creators who produce original content — should be given the right to opt in, rather than be automatically enrolled in policies that could monetize or repurpose their work in ways they never intended.
“The default should not be that creators are silently opted in to training the very systems that could one day undermine their livelihood,” said Newton-Rex, the ethicist who first called attention to the SoundCloud terms.
AI and the Future of Music Creation
SoundCloud has already begun exploring AI-enhanced music tools on its platform. In 2024, the company announced partnerships with nearly a dozen AI vendors offering tools for remixing, generating synthetic vocals, and creating personalized samples. In a blog post, the company said it was committed to “ethical and transparent AI practices” and emphasized that rights holders would continue to be credited and compensated.
One of SoundCloud’s partners, Musiio, offers AI-powered music tagging and recommendation engines, which are used to help listeners discover new tracks and help artists grow their audiences.
SoundCloud insists that these tools are not used to train generative AI systems — such as those capable of producing original songs from existing content — but rather to assist with content organization and discovery.
Still, the new terms have unsettled some users who worry about how their work may be used in the future, especially as generative AI becomes more sophisticated and commercial applications expand.
A Call for Greater Transparency
As the use of AI continues to reshape the media and entertainment landscape, creators and regulators alike are calling for stronger protections, clearer communication, and more robust opt-out frameworks.
For now, artists on SoundCloud are being urged to review the updated terms carefully and stay informed about how their music may be used — not just by fans, but by the algorithms and AI tools shaping the next phase of digital content.
