Tumblr’s owner is striking deals with OpenAI and Midjourney for training data, says report

A recent report from 404 Media alleges that Automattic, the owner of both Tumblr and WordPress.com, is in talks with OpenAI and Midjourney to strike deals involving user data. This data could potentially be used to train the AI companies' respective models, raising concerns about user privacy and data ownership.

Key Points of the Report:

• The report, based on an anonymous source within Automattic, suggests that deals with OpenAI and Midjourney are "imminent".
• The specific nature of the data involved is unclear, but the report suggests it could include user posts, comments, and other content.
• An alleged internal post from a Tumblr product manager indicates that Automattic may have initially considered including private or partner-related data in the deal, which would be a significant privacy violation.

Current Status:

• Automattic has not officially confirmed or denied the report.
• However, they issued a public statement emphasizing their commitment to user privacy and stating that they do not share private information with third parties without consent.

Potential Concerns:

• Privacy and Security: If the report is accurate, the use of user data for training AI models raises concerns about user privacy and the potential for misuse of personal information.
• Transparency and Consent: Users have the right to know how their data is being used and to consent to its use for specific purposes. It's unclear if Automattic has obtained explicit consent from its users before potentially sharing their data.
• Model Biases: If the training data used includes biased content, it could potentially lead to the creation of AI models that perpetuate or amplify existing biases.

Looking Ahead:

• The potential deal between Automattic and the AI companies is shrouded in uncertainty.
• It's crucial for Automattic to be transparent and clear about any data-sharing practices and ensure they comply with all relevant privacy regulations.
• This situation highlights the importance of user awareness and control over their data. Users need to understand how their data is used and have the option to opt out of such practices if they choose.