Archive — US — techcrunch
Mastodon updates its terms to prohibit AI model training
Mastodon has updated its terms of service to prohibit the scraping of user data for AI model training, following similar actions by platforms like X (formerly Twitter). Effective July 1, the new rules aim to protect user data within Mastodon's network and apply solely to its Mastodon.social server. Additionally, the platform has raised its user age limit globally from 13 to 16 years.
Key points
- Mastodon updated its terms to prohibit unauthorized data scraping for AI model training.
- New terms take effect on July 1 and emphasize that data extraction for model training is not allowed.
- Mastodon.social server is the only instance with these new rules, meaning other instances on the fediverse may still allow such activities.
- The age limit for users has been raised from 13 to 16 years globally.
Why it matters
- Similar prohibitive measures have been taken by other major platforms, reflecting a growing trend in the tech industry to protect user data.
- In 2025, expectations for privacy and data protection will likely increase, driving more platforms to reevaluate their terms of service.
Mastodon's recent updates to their terms of service reflect a broader industry move towards safeguarding user privacy and data amid rising concerns over AI model training, setting the stage for significant changes in content regulation by 2025.