uncivil-service

[uncivil-service]

Hi, Tumblr. It’s Tumblr. We’re working on some things that we want to share with you. 

AI companies are acquiring content across the internet for a variety of purposes in all sorts of ways. There are currently very few regulations giving individuals control over how their content is used by AI platforms. Proposed regulations around the world, like the European Union’s AI Act, would give individuals more control over whether and how their content is utilized by this emerging technology. We support this right regardless of geographic location, so we’re releasing a toggle to opt out of sharing content from your public blogs with third parties, including AI platforms that use this content for model training. We’re also working with partners to ensure you have as much control as possible regarding what content is used.

Here are the important details:

We already discourage AI crawlers from gathering content from Tumblr and will continue to do so, save for those with which we partner. 

We want to represent all of you on Tumblr and ensure that protections are in place for how your content is used. We are committed to making sure our partners respect those decisions.

To opt out of sharing your public blogs’ content with third parties, visit each of your public blogs’ blog settings via the web interface and toggle on the “Prevent third-party sharing” option. 

For instructions on how to opt out using the latest version of the app, please visit this Help Center doc. 

Please note: If you’ve already chosen to discourage search crawling of your blog in your settings, we’ve automatically enabled the “Prevent third-party sharing” option.

If you have concerns, please read through the Help Center doc linked above and contact us via Support if you still have questions.

[uncivil-service]

They are already selling data to midjourney, and it's very likely your work is already being used to train their models because you have to OPT OUT of this, not opt in. Very scummy of them to roll this out unannounced.

[uncivil-service]

Customer: Hi I need to go vote, where do I go to vote?

Me, knowing this is not at all related to my job but having Google at my fingertips: Sure, sir, I'd be happy to. Where are you?

Customer: Downtown.

Me: ...

Customer: ...

Me: ...Downtown... in what city?

[uncivil-service]

Ive actually had this argument with both small and large businesses who chafed at the idea of the government regulating their water use/treatment/drilling or petroleum storage tanks or waste.

Some even argued that "everybody knows what they're supposed to do, they don't need the government to make them do it."

Then I would remind them of Flint, Michegan. Of Cleveland's flaming Cuyahoga River in '50s/'60s. Of acid rain. Just because people know what they should do doesn't mean they will, and companies have historically always put profits over people every time.

And the number of public water system operators who balk at environmental and health regulations and inspections would make you wary of the very tap water in your house, honestly. I only went to one water operator course where the teacher themself didn't disparage the regulators. And I went to a lot of those courses.

[uncivil-service]

Actual phone conversation from our environmental help line:

Me: Thank you for calling Agency, how may I help you?

Customer: I don't know how to fill out this stupid online form, is there a paper version?

Me: Oh no, I'm sorry to hear that! There is a paper version, but you must call Permit Office to request a waiver from using the online form, since online submission is a federal requirement now.

Customer: Nah I don't want to do that.

Me: OK, well can I help you fill out the form?

Customer: I'm not at a computer. I don't own a computer because I work for a living.

Me, realizing how this conversation is gonna go: Oh, I see. Well, you are more than welcome to come by our local office and I can help you fill it out in person. Or, if we're too far, you can use the computer at a public library and call me from there--I'll give you my direct line.

Customer: No I don't want to do that either. I don't have time to talk to you I work for a living.

Me: OK, I understand. Well, our website has a few really wonderful online videos that walk you through the whole process from start to finish. Or I can send you some written instructions...

Customer: I told you I don't have a computer, I work for a living!

Me: O-OK, well, how can I help you?

Customer: Can't you just... I dunno... Print the video out and mail it to me?

Me:...

Customer:...

Me:...Just to make sure I understand, you want me to print a video and mail it to you?

Customer: N... Never mind, I don't have time for this I'll call back later.

Me:... OK sure, have a g--

Customer: *click*

Me, staring at the phone: PRINT... A VIDEO?!