Twitch faces backlash over Amazon AI data sharing

Twitch has faced criticism after saying user content will be shared with Amazon for AI training unless people opt out. The move has added to wider privacy concerns around how tech companies gather data for artificial intelligence. WASHINGTON: Livestreaming platform Twitch has drawn a strong backlash from users after saying it will share data from its service with parent company Amazon to help train the retailer's artificial intelligence models. In a post on X, Twitch said users would be able to opt out of the arrangement. If they do not, live audio, text, images and other material on Twitch channels will be made available for Amazon's AI training across its platforms. The decision marks another flashpoint in the wider debate over digital privacy, as technology companies seek larger pools of data to improve AI systems. Speaking during a live chat on Twitch on Wednesday after the announcement, chief product officer Mike Minton said the policy was designed as an opt-out system rather than one requiring users to actively join. 'An honest answer is: if it was opt-in, nobody would opt-in,' Minton said. He added: 'It's going to be on by default, and in almost every content service in the world, it is on by default,' He also said: 'I know it's very upsetting to the community, but this is where we are.' Many gamers criticised the change, describing it as an improper use of user data. One user wrote in response to Twitch's announcement on X: 'Opting people in by default is not consent,' Another user said: 'Pay us for our services then with this AI training,' Twitch and Amazon are not alone in using platform activity to develop AI tools, as companies race to strengthen their models. Last year, Meta, which owns Facebook and Instagram, said all public comments on its platforms — except on WhatsApp — would be used to train its AI systems unless users chose to opt out.