Adobe, the developer of popular software like Photoshop and Substance 3D, has recently faced significant backlash from its user community due to controversial changes in its Terms of Service. The updated terms now require users to grant Adobe unlimited access to their projects, including those under non-disclosure agreements, for purposes such as ‘content review’ and more.

The new Terms of Service have been likened to spyware by many users, as they allow Adobe to access and analyze user creations using automated and manual methods, including machine learning techniques. This has raised concerns that Adobe may be using user-generated content to train its artificial intelligence models, aligning with the company’s recent focus on generative AI.

One particular section of the Terms of Use, section 4.2, has drawn criticism for granting Adobe a royalty-free, sublicensable license to use, reproduce, display, distribute, modify, and create derivative works based on user creations. Users have found this provision to be intrusive and insulting.

Additionally, users have discovered that uninstalling Photoshop via Adobe Uninstaller is not possible without agreeing to the updated Terms of Service. Even if users choose to opt out of content analysis, Adobe has stated that they will still access user content in ‘certain limited circumstances,’ disregarding user preferences.

Despite the widespread backlash, Adobe has not officially addressed the situation or revised the Terms of Service. The changes, which were reportedly implemented as early as February 2024, remain unchanged, leading some to speculate that Adobe may be taking a passive approach to the public outcry.

Notably, this controversy comes on the heels of a similar incident involving Microsoft and its upcoming AI-powered feature for Windows 11, Recall, which captures screenshots of user activities without consent.