SoundCloud’s Policy Still Leaves Room to Train Generative AI with Music
In early 2024, SoundCloud quietly updated its Terms of Use to include permissions that allow the company to train generative AI with music and other user content. The change went largely unnoticed—until May 9, 2025, when Ed Newton-Rex, composer and CEO of the AI transparency non-profit Fairly Trained, publicly flagged the update. His discovery set off a wave of backlash from musicians, creators, and digital rights advocates.
The clause in question read:
“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…”
This language appeared to grant SoundCloud sweeping rights to use user-generated content—including music uploads—to power AI development.
A Platform That Claims to Be “Artist-First” — But Is It?
The backlash was swift and widespread, highlighting the irony of an “artist-first” platform adopting policies that could train generative AI with music—potentially without fair compensation or consent from creators. Even Elton John has voiced frustration over the growing trend of tech companies harvesting music for AI training.
Within five days, SoundCloud CEO Eliah Seton issued a public statement and released an updated version of the Terms of Use.
The new language reads:
“We will not use Your Content to train generative AI models that aim to replicate or synthesize your voice, music, or likeness without your explicit consent, which must be affirmatively provided through an opt-in mechanism...”
This update appears to be a step toward respecting creators’ rights. However, other statements made by SoundCloud pose serious concerns.
SoundCloud Statements Still Leave Room for AI Training on Independent Music
In a follow-up interview with The Verge, SoundCloud’s Head of Communications Marni Greenberg clarified that their TOU only protects licensed music—typically that of artists signed to major labels. For everyone else, including the independent musicians who make up a large part of SoundCloud’s base, the platform reserves the right to train generative AI with music they upload.
According to Greenburg, “the TOS explicitly prohibits the use of licensed content, such as music from major labels, for training any AI models, including generative AI. For other types of content uploaded to SoundCloud, the TOS allows for the possibility of AI-related use.”
Newton-Rex highlighted this inequality in a Music Business Worldwide Op Ed, stating:
“They’re treating artists without a label worse than those who are signed... This is an awful policy, unfair at its core, and disproportionately unfair to unsigned artists."
Greenburg also left the door open for broader AI usage in the future, saying SoundCloud may add “robust internal permissioning controls” and “opt-out mechanisms” later on.
The policy shift reflects a broader trend in the industry where independent musicians, who rely on platforms like SoundCloud for exposure, may be the most vulnerable to non-consensual AI generative training.
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