Worried Your Data Is Used to Train AI Models? Here’s How to Opt-Out (If You Can)

• Generative AI’s rise has sparked heightened privacy concerns.
• WeTransfer faced backlash for using user-uploaded files for machine learning.
• Many tech companies allow users to opt out of AI data use.
• Artists can check if their content has been scraped using a service.
• Opting out does not guarantee removal of already used data.

Generative AI and Privacy Breaches Raise Concerns

In a world buzzing with the rapid rise of generative AI, concerns about privacy and data ownership have reached new heights. On July 21, 2025, New Delhi witnessed a stirring reaction from users around the globe when file-sharing service WeTransfer made headlines for abruptly updating its privacy policy. The company suggested that user-uploaded files could potentially be utilized to ‘improve machine learning models,’ a change that was met with fierce backlash. Surprisingly quick on their feet, WeTransfer attempted to mend the situation by backtracking and removing all references to AI from their terms.

Steps for Users to Protect Their Data

This incident isn’t just a solitary event; it mirrors a growing trend among tech companies that have been amending their privacy policies to utilize user data for AI training. The vast amounts of public data scraped from the internet includes everything you’ve ever posted, whether that’s a light-hearted tweet or your perfectly angled Instagram selfie. For many artists and content creators, the worry about whether their work has been harvested for AI training is palpable. Thankfully, if you find yourself in this category, there are avenues you can explore. For instance, a useful service called ‘Have I Been Trained?’ can help you discover if your data is among what has been utilized for AI models, offering a glimmer of hope in a rather cloudy situation.

Navigating the Terrain of AI and User Data

For those who discover that their data has been used without permission, there are certain steps you can follow to opt-out, although this isn’t a flawless solution. Tech giants like Adobe have systems in place to allow some users to automatically opt out of being part of AI training. With personal Adobe accounts, users just need to toggle a few settings. Meanwhile, Google and its Gemini AI chatbot provide similar opt-out features, although the process can feel convoluted. Another example is LinkedIn, whose plans to use user-generated content for AI purposes raised eyebrows last September. Thankfully, platforms are beginning to introduce ways for users to regain some control over their data. However, it’s crucial to keep in mind that opting out does not guarantee the removal of already used data, which poses a major hurdle for many users who feel vulnerable.

The Bigger Picture on Data Usage and AI Models

As for some user avenues, you can manage your settings on platforms like ChatGPT and DALL-E by simply following a few steps outlined in their help sections. Opting out might seem simple, but the truth is, many companies have snatched up web data already—often without transparency about their practices. Facebook parent company Meta utilizes publicly shared content for AI training, except for users residing in the European Union, which raises further questions about equity and consent.

As generative AI grows, user privacy concerns intensify, prompting some tech companies to modify terms of service. WeTransfer and others are facing backlash for using user data while providing opt-out solutions. Understanding how to protect your data is critical as AI continues to permeate daily life, but opting out may not ensure complete removal from training datasets.