Amazon and Twitch sued for allegedly using creator content to power generative AI models

Twitch Chief Product Officer Mike Minton also faced backlash after explaining why the system was designed as an opt-out feature.

Amazon, Twitch under fire in lawsuit over streamers content used for AI training
Amazon, Twitch under fire in lawsuit over streamers content used for AI training

Amazon and Twitch are facing a proposed class-action lawsuit after a streamer accused the companies of using creators livestreams and other content to train Amazon’s generative artificial intelligence models without proper consent or compensation.

The lawsuit was filed on Aug. 20 in federal court in California, could put Twitch’s controversial AI training policy under intense legal scrutiny.

The case was brought by Twitch streamer Warren Pandiscia, who complaint about to seeks damages for affected creators and an order stopping the companies from continuing the alleged practice.

The legal battle comes shortly after Twitch introduced an option allowing streamers to stop their content from being used to train Amazon’s generative AI models.

The lawsuit argues that creators should not have their work used to develop commercial AI technology without their knowledge or agreement. The complaint also challenges changes Twitch made to its terms and privacy language around the same time it introduced the AI training setting.

The controversy has intensified because Twitch Chief Product Officer Mike Minton previously acknowledged uncertainty about what Amazon had already used for AI training.

Minton also faced backlash after explaining why the system was designed as an opt-out feature rather than requiring creators to actively agree. “If this was opt-in, nobody would opt in,” he said during the discussion.

Amazon and Twitch have not publicly responded to the lawsuit in the reports reviewed. The case remains an allegation, and no court has ruled that the companies violated the law.