Time to Opt Out

Squarespace has recently introduced a feature that has significant implications for photographers. This feature relates to AI crawlers, which are tools used to gather data from websites for training AI models. These models have become adept at simulating real photography, raising concerns among content creators.

The issue at hand is Squarespace's default setting for this feature, which automatically opts websites in to be indexed by both search engines and AI crawlers. Photographers, who typically desire their work to be accessible via search engines like Google, are apprehensive about AI crawlers using their images without explicit consent.

This matter came into the spotlight when Miguel Quiles, a professional photographer, noticed the auto opt-in setting on his Squarespace website. His discovery led to discussions within the online photography community, highlighting the need for clarity and control over how online content is used.

Squarespace responded to the ensuing discussions by stating that AI models generally train on all publicly available web data, and their feature is intended to offer users a choice to opt out. For those looking to adjust these settings on Squarespace, the process involves accessing the settings panel, selecting “Crawlers,” and then customizing the options for “Artificial Intelligence Crawlers.”

This situation underscores broader issues of data privacy and the ethical use of AI in the arts. It emphasizes the need for platforms like Squarespace to provide transparent options that respect the rights of content creators, especially as AI technology continues to evolve.