WeTransfer is one of the most used sites for file transfers, especially if the user wants to send large files or doesn’t want to lose the quality of photos or videos. Now, the company has announced a change in its terms and conditions that affect its privacy policy, which could lead to a leak of personal data if not handled properly. This new policy will go into effect on August 8.
“We do not claim any ownership rights to the Content”
On the one hand, the platform ensures that: “First things first. Your content is always your content. This is specified in section 6.2. Ownership of Content of our Terms of Service, which says: “We do not claim any ownership rights to the Content. You or your licensors own and retain all right, title, and interest, including all intellectual property rights, in and to the Content.”
In WeTransfer’s new updated terms and conditions, accepting them means that users will be allowing the company to use their uploaded files for purposes beyond file transfer. By using the service, users are giving WeTransfer permission to use their files for free, forever, and without time limits, including for training its artificial intelligence systems.
Including the possibility of using AI to improve content moderation
“The most notable paragraph was initially updated to include the possibility of using AI to improve content moderation and strengthen our measures to prevent the distribution of illegal or harmful content on the WeTransfer platform. This feature has not been implemented or used in practice, but was being considered for the future. To avoid confusion, we have removed this reference,” WeTransfer said in its statement.
Initially, the platform confirmed that by accepting the new terms and conditions, the person granted a “perpetual, worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free, transferable, and sublicensable license” to your content. Most importantly, this license allowed the company to “reproduce, distribute, modify, prepare derivative works based upon, transmit, communicate to the public, publicly display, and perform” your content for purposes such as improving the platform and its features, developing new technologies, and optimizing its artificial intelligence models, such as those that moderate content.
“We have also removed the mention of machine learning”
On the website, the platform has changed some details and clarified: “Following your feedback (from users), we understood that it may not have been clear that you retain ownership and control of your content. We have since updated the terms to make them easier to understand. We have also removed the mention of machine learning, as it is not something WeTransfer uses in relation to customer content and may have raised some concerns.”
“We apologize for any confusion”
As of July 15, WeTransfer had to reconsider its initial statement, listen to users, and make a few adjustments to how it communicates the new terms and conditions. Finally, the platform concludes by saying: “We apologize for any confusion this may have caused, and we’re happy to answer any additional questions.”
In any case, this reminds us that before accepting any type of online permission, it’s important to read the fine print. These days, the issue of personal data privacy is treated very lightly, and users are solely responsible for choosing the best way to handle it without exposing it to further risks of being used for destructive purposes.
