Reddit sues AI startup Anthropic for breach of contract, 'unfair business acts'
Reddit is suing artificial intelligence startup Anthropic for what it’s calling a breach of contract and engaging in “unlawful and unfair business acts” by using the social media company’s platform and data without authority.
Allegations Against Anthropic
The lawsuit, filed in San Francisco, claims that Anthropic has been training its models on the personal data of Reddit users without obtaining their consent. Reddit alleges that it has been harmed by the unauthorized commercial use of its content. Reddit states that Anthropic does not respect Reddit's rules or users and believes it can use Reddit's content without repercussions.
Response from Anthropic
In response to the allegations, an Anthropic spokesperson stated that they disagree with Reddit’s claims and will defend themselves vigorously.
Importance of Reddit in the AI Industry
Since the generative AI boom began, Reddit has been a pivotal player in the conversation. With a vast amount of user-generated information on various topics, Reddit has been a primary source for training large AI models, including Anthropic’s Claude.
Partnerships and Agreements
Reddit announced a partnership with OpenAI to train its AI models on Reddit content. The company also has a similar agreement with Google.
Legal Action by Reddit
Reddit mentioned that other giants in the AI space, like OpenAI and Google, understand and respect Reddit’s rules when using public Reddit content. The lawsuit aims to seek damages and compel Anthropic to abide by its contractual and legal obligations, with Reddit requesting a jury trial.
The Value and Backing of Anthropic
In a recent funding round, Anthropic was valued at $61.5 billion. The company, founded by ex-OpenAI executives, has received significant backing from Amazon.
