Adobe IS a leader in the graphics industry. Many of you follow my stories here on Twitchy as well as my account on X (Twitter) so you know I am a graphic designer as well as a freelance author and this may be a little bit of a niche topic but it is an important one.
There has been a movement lately to try and destroy creative jobs, particularly those of us who freelance. The Biden administration is making independent contractors jump insane hurdles with its latest contractor rule. Now, Adobe has a new terms of service agreement that seems to cross a line into spyware and intellectual property rights.
So am I reading this, right? @Adobe @Photoshop
— Sam Santala (@SamSantala) June 5, 2024
I can't use Photoshop unless I'm okay with you having full access to anything I create with it, INCLUDING NDA work? pic.twitter.com/ZYbnFCMlkE
That post above covers a lot of the 'spyware' implications and in researching terms of service I found that section 4.2 of the agreement is equally disturbing. These 2 posts summed it up pretty well.
Summary of rights Adobe @Adobe is asserting over YOUR work:
— Grummz (@Grummz) June 6, 2024
- They can review it for Content Moderation
- They can manually review it (humans)
- They can publish or give it away for free
- They can sell it to 3rd parties (sublicense)
- They can and will use it to train their AI…
THIS is pure offensive insanity. Adobe is claiming royalty-free rights to copy and make new content out of customers' assets. Adobe is claiming that they can then sub-license customer assets to OTHER companies. They describe a "reasonable" use-case, but describe no limitations. pic.twitter.com/3AGwZxsdSE
— Wetterschneider (@Stretchedwiener) June 5, 2024
This is wild. I have to say there are some really great Adobe Photoshop alternatives that do not have as many insane clauses getting updated and hidden. In my opinion, there are not as many options of open source drawing programs to replace Illustrator if someone is going to cancel their Adobe subscriptions. The thing is, we should NOT have to be searching for other options. Adobe should just offer a good product without making it spyware and trying to use our work.
Adobe did put out some clarification on the matter following the backlash and they also state you can 'opt-out'. You can read the full Adobe clarification of service here.
SO many users on X did a great job of explaining the problems.
Wow, what a relief, you CAN "opt-out" of the "on by default" content processing for your proprietary assets - and uh what's that? Adobe will, under "certain limited circumstances" ignore that the little graphic is "switched to off"?
— Wetterschneider (@Stretchedwiener) June 5, 2024
So there's no true way to opt-out. pic.twitter.com/Zy4VWyrlDL
That is correct. The 'Opt Out' feature is not COMPLETE, so is it really a valid Adobe defense? I don't think so.
THIS is pure offensive insanity. Adobe is claiming royalty-free rights to copy and make new content out of customers' assets. Adobe is claiming that they can then sub-license customer assets to OTHER companies. They describe a "reasonable" use-case, but describe no limitations. pic.twitter.com/3AGwZxsdSE
— Wetterschneider (@Stretchedwiener) June 5, 2024
It is PURE INSANITY. I as an unashamed capitalist, am tired of having to fight for my right to work in my chosen field without people trying to force me into a W2 job to pay more taxes (looking at you Biden & Democrats) or now the Programs and tools I use wanting to use my work and spy on me without my permission.
Adobe should be clear and fast. They need to put out more than a statement clarifying a rule that is still sloppy in the clarification. People are tired of being afraid they can no longer work in creative fields and the idea that big companies have access to all of our work as well as personal data is hopefully reaching others outside of the creative fields so you guys can start yelling and pushing back as well.
We HAVE to stand up to some of this before it is too late. I myself have been posting about Biden and the Democrat's desire to put independent contractors out of work for YEARS. Sadly, most Democrats never listen until AFTER their rules and 'help' destroy people, companies, and economies. I guess I will start yelling about Adobe and other tech not only wanting to use our data but now our actual work as well, but we need others to yell with us. That is why I am writing this. Hopefully, some of you start to yell along with us.
UGG I want off this timeline but we will never give up. We will keep fighting with people like you.
Adobe Probably: All your WORK are belong to us. (IYKYN)
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Authors Note: Thank you to the X posters who did screenshots and commentary to bring attention to this issue.
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Related: twitchy.com/author/artistangie
