X changes its terms to bar training of AI models using its content

In a significant update, social media platform X has revised its developer agreement to explicitly prohibit the use of its content for training large language models by third parties. This new clause was added under the section titled "Reverse Engineering and other Restrictions," stating that users are not permitted to use the X API or any content from X to enhance or train foundational AI models. This decision follows the acquisition of X by Elon Musk’s AI venture, xAI, in March, which likely aims to prevent competitors from freely accessing valuable data without an appropriate arrangement. Earlier in 2023, X had modified its privacy policy to permit the utilization of publicly available data for AI training purposes, and in October, it had expanded the rules to allow third-party model training. Other platforms, like Reddit, have also introduced measures to guard against AI crawlers, while The Browser Company recently implemented a similar clause in the terms of use for its AI-driven browser, Dia.