Twitch users outraged as Amazon uses their content to train AI in opt-out feature

Twitch users have taken to social media in outrage after discovering that their content is being utilized by Amazon to train AI models, following a default setting that enabled this practice. The streaming platform disclosed on Wednesday that users can opt out, yet the announcement triggered a wave of criticism, with some questioning the ethical implications of such data collection.

Twitch's chief product officer Mike Minton defended the feature, stating that it respects users by providing an opt-out option. However, he admitted that if the process was opt-in, no creators would likely participate. The data collected will not be resold to other entities. According to Twitch's AI FAQs, if users do not opt out, their content could be used for training generative AI models.

This includes aspects such as audio for speech-to-text refinement, benefiting automatic subtitles on streams and Amazon videos. Concerns were raised about the potential impact on game developers whose creations might be used to train Amazon's AI models. The issue was further explored during a Twitch livestream, with users discovering that despite toggling off the option, the feature remained active.

Some users have reported the setting returning to its original state after being turned off. The Twitch community expressed strong disapproval, with users criticizing the move and questioning the reasons behind the default setting.