Legal Terms Review: Which Music Platforms Actually Allow AI Training?

Published June 27, 2026

AI generating “music” is a hot topic (also frustrating to a lot of indie musicians) so I went on a mission to review all the legal wording I had access to for some of the most popular platforms around music. Now to say the disclaimer part: I just checked my bank account and yup, I am NOT a successful lawyer. The summaries and opinions provided are for educational purposes and reflect my interpretation of publicly available agreements. They are not legal advice. When in doubt, read the original terms or consult a qualified lawyer.

I’ll note that I also used ChatGPT here because some companies have 18 page PDF’s for their legal terms (good grief). I believe I caught the AI mistakes but if you see something, please let me know. Now with that out of the way, let’s dive in!

⚡ TL;DR

I reviewed the publicly available agreements of some major music platforms to see what they actually say about AI training. Most traditional distributors and streaming services do not explicitly grant themselves AI training rights in the documents I reviewed, although many are silent on the topic. Bandcamp, YouTube and SoundCloud now require artist permission for generative AI training, while Suno explicitly allows uploaded content to be used to train and improve its AI models. Read the full article below for the details.

Can these companies legally use your music to train generative AI? Did they sneak some legal crap in their terms?

After reviewing the publicly available agreements of some major music platforms, I found surprisingly few that explicitly address generative AI training. Some platforms explicitly prohibit or restrict it without artist permission, one platform (Suno) explicitly permits it, and many simply do not address the issue in the public agreements I reviewed.

The language can get vague in the terms and agreements and not having explicit AI terms does not mean the corporations can’t or won’t sell the data for AI training, even if it’s meta information (e.g. no audio).

How Are These Training Databases Created?

I don’t think there’s a single “music leak”; it's probably from multiple pipelines. Based on lawsuits, research papers, company statements, and investigations like The Atlantic's AI Watchdog, there are several documented ways music ends up in AI training.

1. Public Datasets

Public datasets are large collections of music metadata, potentially some audio clips, or links assembled by researchers and organizations to support music information retrieval, recommendation systems, and machine learning research. Some of these datasets have existed for many years, well before AI “music” was a thing, and were created for tasks such as genre classification, mood detection, or audio fingerprinting rather than music generation.

The Atlantic published searchable databases containing millions of songs that have appeared in datasets referenced by AI researchers. Some datasets contain 12 million and 9 million tracks. Many entries point to music hosted on platforms like YouTube and Spotify rather than containing licensed audio themselves.

Important nuances

Presence in a dataset does not prove a specific AI model was trained on that song.

It does prove the song was catalogued as potential training material.

For independent artists, there is currently (as of June, 2026) no universal opt-out that prevents publicly released music from appearing in third-party research datasets. However, understanding where your music is distributed, monitoring AI-related developments, and reviewing the terms of platforms and services you use remain the most practical steps for staying informed.

2. Web Scraping

Many datasets won’t contain audio, instead they may have data like YouTube URLs, Spotify URLs, and metadata such as artist name, title, song mood, description, and genres. Then someone runs a crawler that downloads the audio.

Some data sets come with instructions on how to obtain audio from websites like 7digital (albeit I believe this was intended for university research years before “AI music” was a thing, but it does not mean it’s not being leveraged).

Keep in mind Spotify’s terms are explicit: “You may not scrape Spotify or use Spotify content to train AI.” Spotify’s APIs also have multiple layers of protection, including no audio files being available through the public API. And to get a little nerdy, Spotify streams encrypted Ogg Vorbis or AAC chunks. The client decrypts them using keys obtained during authentication.

3. Licensed Catalogues

One trend that does appear to be emerging is licensed AI training. Rather than relying on scraping publicly available music, some AI companies are entering licensing agreements with large rights holders and content libraries.

This approach has already been seen outside the music industry with companies like Shutterstock licensing content for AI training, and similar discussions are now happening within music.

For independent artists, the important question may become who has the legal authority to license your music for AI training. If you own your masters and publishing, that decision is likely yours. If you've signed with a label, publisher, production music library, or another rights administrator, future agreements may include AI licensing provisions that are worth reviewing carefully.

4. User Uploads

User uploads are fundamentally different from public datasets or web scraping because they are based on a direct agreement between the creator and the AI platform. When you upload content to an AI music service, you are typically accepting that platform's Terms of Service, which define how your submissions may be used.

In Suno's case, the Terms explicitly state that uploaded content such as prompts, lyrics, demos, vocals, riffs, and other submissions may be used to train, develop, fine-tune, and improve its AI models.

Why this is different

Unlike public datasets or web scraping, these training rights come directly from the agreement you accepted when uploading your content.

This means the training rights come directly from the agreement you accepted, rather than from publicly available music or third-party datasets.

For musicians, this is an important distinction. Uploading unfinished songs, demos, or original ideas to an AI platform may grant that platform broader rights than simply listening to or processing your request. If you're concerned about contributing your creative work to future AI models, it's worth reading the Terms of Service before uploading original material and considering whether the platform provides an opt-out or alternative licensing options.

Legal Terms Review Table & Summaries

The table below summarizes what I found after reviewing the publicly available terms, agreements, and policies of major music platforms. The goal is to highlight what each company explicitly says about ownership, AI training, licensing rights, and related topics.

Where an agreement is silent on AI training, that simply means I found no explicit language addressing it in the documents reviewed. It should not be interpreted as proof that a company does or does not train AI models.

Table Legend

Source

The company or platform whose terms were reviewed.

Ownership

Whether you retain ownership of your music.

AI Training

Whether the terms explicitly allow your content to train AI models.

Fingerprinting

Whether your music may be fingerprinted for copyright detection or Content ID.

UGC Rights

Whether your music may be used in user-generated content features like Shorts or Reels.

Derivative Works

Whether the terms permit remixes, edits, or other derivative uses.

Sublicensing

Whether the company can grant rights to third-party partners or services.

AI Disclosure

Whether the company clearly explains how AI is used in its services.

Notes

Additional findings or important context from the review.

Docs Reviewed

The agreements and versions reviewed for this analysis.

Source	Ownership	AI Training	Fingerprinting	UGC Rights	Derivative Works	Sublicensing	AI Disclosure	Notes	Docs Reviewed
DistroKid	✅ Artist retains ownership	✅ None found	🟡 Yes	🟡 Yes	🟡 Limited	🟡 Yes	❌ None	Standard distributor agreement. No explicit generative AI training language found.	Distribution Agreement (2021) Terms of Service (2024)
CD Baby	✅ Artist retains ownership	✅ None found	❓ Not explicit	🟡 Yes	🟡 Limited	🟡 Yes	❌ None	Standard distributor agreement. No explicit generative AI training language found.	Artist Agreement (Aug 2024) Terms of Service (Mar 2024)
TuneCore	✅ Artist retains ownership	✅ None found	❓ Not publicly documented	🟡 Yes	🟡 Limited	🟡 Yes	❌None	Distribution-specific terms were not publicly available during this review, so some licensing provisions could not be verified.	Terms & Conditions (May 18, 2026)
Spotify	✅ Artist retains ownership	🟡 No explicit self-training clause. Explicitly prohibits users from using Spotify content to train AI.	🟡 Uses automated systems for IP enforcement	🟡 Yes	🟡 Limited	🟡 Yes	🟡Partial	Spotify explicitly bans users from scraping or using Spotify content to train AI models, but does not explicitly state whether Spotify itself uses licensed music for AI model training.	Terms of Use (Aug 2025), User Guidelines, Intellectual Property Policy, Spotify for Artists Terms (Dec 2021)
YouTube	✅ Artist retains ownership	🟡 Third-party AI training available via optional opt-in. No explicit self-training clause in the public Terms.	✅ Yes	🟡 Yes	🟡 Yes	🟡 Yes	✅ Yes	Creators can choose whether approved third-party AI companies may train on eligible public videos. Default is off. YouTube also requires disclosure of realistic AI-generated content.	Terms of Service (Jan 2022), AI Disclosure Policy, Third-Party AI Training Settings
Apple Music	✅ Artist retains ownership	✅ None found	❓ Not publicly documented	🟡 Limited	🟡 Yes	🟡 Yes	❌ None	Apple receives the rights needed to display artist images, lyrics and artist content across Apple Music and related promotional materials. No explicit AI training language found.	Apple Music for Artists Terms of Service (May 15, 2023)
SubmitHub	✅ Artist retains ownership	✅ None found	❌ None found	❌ None found	🟡 Limited	🟡 Limited	🟡 Partial	Uses OpenAI only for optional voice-to-text transcription. No language allowing artist music to train AI models.	Terms of Use (Nov. 13, 2025)
Groover	✅ Artist retains ownership	✅ None found	❌ None found	❌ None found	🟡 Limited	🟡 Yes	✅ Yes	Offers AI-powered mastering and writing services but does not state that customer music is used to train AI models.	General Terms & Conditions (Apr. 18, 2025), Privacy Statement
Bandcamp	✅ Artist retains ownership	✅ Explicit opt-in required	❌ None found	❌ None found	🟡 Limited	🟡 Yes	✅ Yes	One of the strongest artist protections reviewed. Explicitly promises not to train AI music models without the artist's express permission.	Terms of Use (May 7, 2026), Fair Trade Music Policy
SoundCloud	✅ Artist retains ownership	✅ Explicit opt-in required (Generative AI)	🟡 Content ID / rights management	🟡 Operational license	🟡 Yes	🟡 Yes	✅ Yes	Previously controversial AI clause (2024). Updated Terms now require explicit opt-in before training generative AI models that replicate voice, music or likeness.	Terms of Use (May 2025), Privacy Policy, Community Guidelines (Mar. 18, 2025), Content Moderation & Enforcement Policy (Jan. 15, 2024), DSA Transparency Reports (2024–2025), Recommendation Transparency Statement (Jun. 25, 2024), Copyright Guide.
Suno	🟡 Output ownership depends on subscription	🔴 Yes (Explicit)	❌ None found	🟡 Yes	🔴 Yes	🟡 Yes	✅ Yes	Explicitly grants Suno the right to use submissions and content to train, develop, fine-tune, and improve its AI models and services.	Terms of Service (Mar. 26, 2026), Privacy Notice (Jun. 23, 2026), Community Guidelines (Jan. 29, 2025)

Platform Summaries

DistroKid

No explicit AI training clause found

DistroKid's agreements are consistent with a modern digital music distributor. Artists retain ownership of their music while granting DistroKid the rights needed to distribute releases, support streaming platforms, and provide copyright fingerprinting services. I found no explicit language allowing DistroKid to use uploaded music to train generative AI models. Remember that downstream platforms like YouTube and Spotify have their own terms, which should be reviewed separately.

CD Baby

No explicit AI training clause found

CD Baby's agreements are similar to other major distributors. Artists retain ownership of their music while granting CD Baby the rights needed to distribute, promote, and license releases through partner platforms. I found no explicit language allowing CD Baby to use uploaded music to train generative AI models.

TuneCore

No explicit AI training clause found

TuneCore's publicly available Terms & Conditions do not contain any explicit language allowing uploaded music to train generative AI models. However, unlike some other distributors, I could not locate a publicly accessible distribution agreement. Because some distribution-specific terms appear to be contained in supplemental agreements that are not readily available, this review is limited to the documents that could be publicly verified.

Spotify

Partially addressed

Spotify's public terms do not explicitly state that the company trains generative AI models using artist music. However, Spotify does explicitly prohibit users and third parties from scraping Spotify content or using it to train machine learning or AI models. Spotify also uses automated systems to detect copyright infringement and grants itself the licenses necessary to operate, promote, and distribute content on its platform.

YouTube

Artist permission required

YouTube gives creators control over whether approved third-party AI companies can use eligible public videos for AI model training through an optional opt-in setting that is disabled by default. Separately, YouTube requires disclosure of realistic AI-generated content and uses Content ID and automated systems for copyright enforcement. I found no explicit statement in the public Terms of Service that YouTube itself trains generative AI models on uploaded creator content.

Apple Music

No explicit AI training clause found

Apple Music for Artists does not contain any explicit language allowing uploaded content to train generative AI models. The agreement primarily grants Apple the rights necessary to display and promote artist images, lyrics, biographies, and related content across Apple Music. I found no published AI disclosure policy or AI training clause in the documents reviewed.

SubmitHub

No explicit AI training clause found

SubmitHub's Terms of Use do not contain any language allowing artist music to be used for generative AI training. The platform receives only the rights necessary to display submitted content and operate its community. The only explicit AI-related feature is an optional voice-to-text tool that sends audio recordings to OpenAI for transcription, with user consent.

Groover

No explicit AI training clause found

Groover's Terms focus on helping artists receive feedback and promote their music. The platform includes AI-powered features such as mastering and writing assistance, but I found no language allowing customer music to be used for generative AI model training. Groover receives a limited license to display and distribute submitted content as needed to operate its services and partner integrations.

Bandcamp

Artist permission required

Bandcamp states that artists retain ownership of their music. Artists grant Bandcamp a non-exclusive license to host, stream, sell, distribute, transcode, and otherwise operate the service, but Bandcamp explicitly states that it will not use, nor allow others to use, an artist's music to train models that generate music without the artist's express permission.

SoundCloud

Artist permission required

Artists retain ownership of their content while granting SoundCloud a broad operational license to host, distribute, transcode, promote, and operate the service. Following criticism over earlier AI language, SoundCloud amended its Terms to state it will not use uploaded content to train generative AI models that replicate or synthesize an artist's voice, music, or likeness without explicit opt-in consent. It also states third parties are not permitted to use rights-holder content for AI training without authorization.

SUNO

Explicit AI training rights granted

If you upload a riff, demo, vocal, lyrics, or other original creative material to Suno, its Terms of Service expressly allow Suno to use those submissions to train, develop, fine-tune, and improve its AI models. This makes Suno the only platform in this comparison whose publicly available Terms explicitly grant AI training rights over user submissions. In addition, users grant Suno a broad license to use submitted content in connection with its products and services.

Independent musicians should also be aware that the legal status of AI-generated output is still evolving. While you generally retain rights to your original material, ownership and copyright protection of AI-generated music can become less clear depending on how much of the final work was created by AI.

What To Do Next

AI is changing quickly, and the agreements that govern your music are changing with it. The best protection is understanding your rights. Read the Terms before uploading your work, especially to AI-powered platforms. Stay informed when companies update their policies.

Own your masters and publishing whenever possible, because ownership often determines who can authorize future licensing deals. Follow reputable investigations, such as The Atlantic's AI Watchdog, to keep up with new developments.

Takeaways

Read the Terms before uploading your music.
Own your masters and publishing whenever possible.
Watch for policy updates as AI evolves.
Follow reputable investigations such as The Atlantic's AI Watchdog.

Most importantly, remember that every platform has a different approach to AI. Some are silent, some require your permission, and some explicitly reserve AI training rights. As independent musicians, the best thing we can do is stay informed and make deliberate decisions about where we share our music.

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