In July 2025, WeTransfer—the popular file-sharing platform used by millions of creatives—quietly introduced an update to its privacy policy that sparked widespread concern. At the heart of the controversy? Clauses that appeared to grant WeTransfer a broad licence to use user-uploaded content for AI training and derivative works. But what exactly changed, and should you be worried?
Let’s break it down.
What Was in the Updated Policy?
The original clause (6.3), set to go live on 8 August 2025, included language stating that WeTransfer could:
“…reproduce, distribute, modify, create derivative works of, publicly perform, publicly display and otherwise use the content… including to improve the performance of machine learning models.”
To many in the creative community, this sounded like an open invitation to train AI on user-submitted files—without compensation or opt-out.
🗯️ Backlash From the Creative Community
Writers, illustrators, voice actors, musicians, and editors quickly raised concerns:
- Would WeTransfer be using copyrighted work to train generative AI?
- Could sensitive client materials be repurposed?
- Were user rights being waived without consent?
These concerns echoed wider industry anxieties about how AI is being trained—and who benefits from it.
WeTransfer’s Response and Clarification
In response to mounting pressure, WeTransfer released a public statement asserting:
- No AI Training on User Files: They stated that files are not used to train AI models, apart from “moderation” and “spam prevention”.
- No Sale of Data or Content: User files are not sold to third parties.
- Policy Rewritten: The controversial language has since been removed and replaced with more standard language about file handling to deliver the service.
According to the updated terms, the licence granted is now only for the purposes of “operating, developing, and improving the service” — no mention of derivative works or machine learning.
What Does This Mean for You?
| If You’re… | Here’s What You Should Do |
|---|---|
| A casual user | You’re likely fine to continue using WeTransfer for everyday file transfers. |
| Working with NDAs | Consider end-to-end encrypted platforms or client-specific transfer tools. |
| A professional creative | Be aware of the terms—especially if you’re sharing unreleased, original work. |
| Concerned about AI training | Use services with strict no-AI and no-tracking policies like SwissTransfer. |
Alternatives Worth Considering
If you’d rather not take any risks, here are some alternatives that prioritise user privacy:
- MASV – Trusted in film and TV, includes watermarking and encryption.
- Frame.io – Ideal for collaborative video review.
- SwissTransfer – Swiss-based, no tracking, no user data collection.
- Resilio Sync – Peer-to-peer, no cloud storage involved.
Final Thoughts
WeTransfer did the right thing by responding to user feedback and scaling back its licence terms—but the incident is a reminder to always read the fine print. In an era where AI is being trained on vast datasets, your work is your livelihood—and protecting it matters more than ever.
If you work in media, design, music, or production, it’s worth checking any platform’s terms before uploading sensitive files.
What do you think?
Will you continue using WeTransfer? Have you made the switch to a more privacy-focused alternative?