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X’s 2026 Terms Classify AI Prompts and Outputs as User Content With Broad Training Rights

Advocates warn the overhaul chills research, curbing user recourse.

Overview

  • The update takes effect on Jan. 15, 2026, formally bringing prompts, outputs and data obtained or created through X into the platform’s definition of user Content.
  • Users grant X a worldwide, royalty-free, sublicensable license to use that material for any purpose, including analyzing it and training machine-learning and AI models, with no additional compensation.
  • A new misuse clause targets AI circumvention by citing jailbreaking, prompt engineering and injection, and the document adds EU/UK language on enforcement against content deemed harmful or unsafe with UK Online Safety Act redress steps.
  • X retains strict limits on automated access, barring crawling or scraping without written consent and setting liquidated damages at $15,000 per 1,000,000 posts accessed in 24 hours, including when violations are induced or knowingly facilitated.
  • Disputes must proceed in Tarrant County, Texas, under one-year federal and two-year state claim windows, with a class-action waiver and a $100 liability cap, provisions that critics say deter litigation and independent research.