EyeEm licensing user photos for AI training if not deleted
EyeEm, a Germany-based photo-sharing platform recently acquired by Spanish firm Freepik, has updated its user agreement. The company now reserves the right to use user-generated content for purposes such as AI training, development, as well as the improvement of software, algorithms, and machine learning models. Users have been given a 30-day window to either remove their content or implicitly agree to this new usage policy.
EyeEm's updated terms: What do they say?
The updated terms and conditions of EyeEm now state: "By uploading Content to EyeEm Community, you grant us regarding your Content the non-exclusive, worldwide, transferable and sublicensable right to reproduce, distribute, publicly display, transform, adapt, make derivative works of, communicate to the public and/or promote such Content." "This specifically includes the sublicensable and transferable right to use your Content for the training, development and improvement of software, algorithms and machine learning models."
EyeEm boasts a library of 160 million images
At the time of its acquisition by Freepik in 2023, EyeEm boasted a library of 160 million images and a community of nearly 150,000 users. The company's long-term plan was to integrate its user base with that of Freepik. Despite experiencing a dip in popularity, EyeEm continues to attract almost 30,000 new downloads each month according to Appfigures data.
Users must send email requests to delete photos
If you do not agree to EyeEm's terms and conditions, you should not add your content to EyeEm Community, says the company. Further, you can request the deletion of your already added content at any time. The procedure for removing photos from EyeEm involves deleting them individually. For removal from the EyeEm Market or other platforms, users must send an email request to support@eyeem.com with the specific Content ID numbers of the photos they wish to delete.
Some photographers might have missed the announcement
EyeEm's move has sparked discussions about how AI models are often trained on user content without explicit consent. While EyeEm did provide a sort of opt-out process, photographers who aren't aware of the announcement would have forfeited their control over the future use of their photos. Considering EyeEm's diminishing popularity as an Instagram alternative, many photographers might have forgotten they even used it. They could have easily overlooked the email, especially if it landed in their spam folder.
Individuals upset by short notice and lack of bulk deletion
Contrarily, those who witnessed the changes are distressed by the short 30-day notice provided, coupled with the absence of options for mass deletion of their contributions. This exacerbates the difficulty of opting out leading to concerns about losing control over how their photos are used.
