Adobe Full Access Policy: Our Thoughts

There's been a buzz lately about Adobe having unrestricted access to your files. They recently released a new Terms of Service, causing many people hesitant to agree to the updates. This can be alarming, especially with all the personal information we store on our devices. But before you panic and delete your entire Adobe account, let's dig into what exactly they are saying they have access to!

Here's the deal:

• Adobe doesn't have magical access to everything on your device! They can only access files you specifically store in their cloud services like Creative Cloud or Document Cloud.

• You control what gets uploaded! When you use Adobe apps, they might request permission to access your device's storage. This is usually for opening or saving files you're working on, not giving them free rein over everything.

Adobe offers features to share files and collaborate with others. This involves giving them access to the specific files you choose to share. There are different sharing options too, letting you control who can view, edit, or download the files.

Adobe did state, “To be clear, Adobe requires a limited license to access content solely for the purpose of operating or improving the services and software and to enforce our terms and comply with law, such as to protect against abusive content.” This helps clarify the confusion of why of Adobe has access to your work.

But the question that still remains, can Adobe steal our work and claim it as their own? No! They also stated, “Adobe will never assume ownership of a customer's work. Adobe hosts content to enable customers to use our applications and services. Customers own their content and Adobe does not assume any ownership of customer work.” Yet still after these answers, users felt uneasy.

Adobe released an updated statement that clarified most concerns, here is what we now know:

• You own your content

• Adobe doesn’t train generative AI on customer content

• You have a choice to not participate in Adobe’s product improvement program

• The licenses Adobe requires to operate and improve their products on your behalf should be narrowly tailored to the activities needed

• Adobe does not scan content stored locally on your computer in any way

Adobe offers editing tools that are the best to none. While concerns are valid, I wouldn’t worry too much about straying away from your favorite editing platforms in search of a new alternative. Adobe’s quick response to clarifying these user concerns show that they do care, they want our trust, and they are determined to be partnering with their users and hearing what they have to say.