X, formerly known as Twitter, introduced controversial new terms of service earlier this month. These changes granted the platform a “worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free license” to feed user-generated content into artificial intelligence (AI) training models without users’ permission or a penny of compensation for their data. Countless artists, writers and creators have long relied on X to share their work. For them, this is not just a policy update — it is a blatant violation of trust and a brazen attempt to profit off their labor. Users who value their intellectual property should stop using X as soon as possible to avoid this irresponsible and unethical use of AI.
This decision by X's executives is part of a troubling trend of tech platforms prioritizing profits over user rights. In the past, X users could opt out of having their content scraped for AI, but now, X can mine anything posted on the platform — including illustrations, memes, detailed threads and videos — to train not just its own AI systems but also algorithms from third party collaborators. Artists and writers, who already face frequent theft and copyright violations, stand to lose even more control over their creations. For a platform that prides itself as a marketplace for dialogue and creativity, the new policy directly disrespects users’ contributions and betrays the very people who brought it to the power it has today.
Unfortunately, this shift is just one among many harmful changes since X owner and chairman Elon Musk’s acquisition of Twitter in 2022 and its subsequent rebranding. For instance, Musk’s choice to conceal user likes stripped the platform of a crucial engagement metric, reducing transparency and preventing user accountability. Particularly for public figures who use the app, removing this feature was advantageous, allowing them to like inappropriate content without being caught red-handed. Additionally, allowing blocked accounts access to a user’s public posts not only compromises user safety but also erases a vital tool for maintaining personal boundaries online. To make matters worse, the promotion of Grok, an AI chatbot embedded in the platform that frequently spreads misinformation, adds to the perception that X is not a place for genuine connection but rather a testing ground for developing generative AI to replace jobs and a tool to further Musk’s political agenda.
It is unclear why the X terms of service changed, as neither Musk nor other X executives have indicated a specific reason. However, since training AI requires vast amounts of data, Musk will need to protect himself from threats of litigation if he wants to scrape enough data for Grok. Some speculate that Musk enacted the policy change to reduce the risk of legal action from unhappy users. While there is a way to collect data responsibly and ethically — with user consent and fair compensation for their content — Musk appears uninterested in this approach.
Instead of prioritizing ethics, X’s policy seeks to exploit users’ creativity and reduce individuals' hard work to a free resource. This shortsighted approach comes at a cost for both users and X itself. As more artists and creators leave the platform, the site will likely see an oversaturation of AI-generated images and content. These AI-generated pieces will be scraped back into AI training models, creating a feedback loop in which the same content is recycled and repurposed, offering little to no real innovation or improvement in the models. This flood of synthetic material will likely affect the quality of content on the platform, making it less engaging and less authentic. In the end, X risks losing a large portion of its users while only making meager developments in AI systems that offer nothing new or meaningful.
Fortunately, there are promising alternatives to X for people who long for a platform reminiscent of Twitter’s original structure. Bluesky, one of the most popular replacements, features a chronological feed and has a growing community — this month, Bluesky has 20 million users. Unlike X, Bluesky appears to have a genuine interest in user autonomy, as its terms of service ensure that users' images will not be used for AI training. It also features a decentralized network, giving users more control over their feeds and improved data privacy. Transitioning to Bluesky also does not mean sacrificing your network of followers on X. The Sky Follower Bridge Chrome plugin allows users to seamlessly connect their X contacts to their Bluesky accounts. Through this plugin, users can preserve their communities without compromising their principles.
For writers and artists who feel they cannot leave X due to alternatives being blocked in some regions or professional requirements, there is a potential workaround to protect their work. By adding an AI disturbance layer or using AI poison tools like Nightshade, artists can add a protective film over their art which prevents AI from detecting, and subsequently using, the piece. While this solution is not foolproof, it provides an extra layer of defense for artists who still wish to use X without risking AI exploiting their intellectual property without consent.
Leaving X may feel daunting, especially for users who have built thriving communities over the years, but now is not the time to be complacent. X’s latest policy is an attack on creative ownership. Let this new policy serve as a reminder that as long as platforms can dictate terms with impunity, they will. By exploring alternatives like Bluesky or protecting themselves with software like Nightshade, users can reclaim digital spaces and send a clear message that creativity and labor are not commodities to be mined without consent. It is time to take a stand against exploitation and demand a better, fairer digital world.
Contact Crystal Zhang at crzhan2@emory.edu.
