WARNING: Topaz Photo AI uploads photos to their servers

capsized · Mar 21, 2023

I'm sure this is a non-issue for many but for those with kids or who harbor privacy concerns it's something to be aware of.

In the latest version of Topaz Photo AI they've included a toggle buried at bottom of the preferences menu called 'Help Improve Autopilot'.

The description: "Some images will be anonymously sent to Topaz Labs."

When you update the software there's no disclosure of this change and the toggle's default status is set to 'On'. Therefore everyone using the software will likely be uploading images run through the program to Topaz' servers without any awareness of the fact.

I've provided feedback advising I feel it's inappropriate to assume such an authority and that any uploading of images should strictly be an opt-in situation.

Annie Ng · Mar 21, 2023

shock_me said:
I'm sure this is a non-issue for many but for those with kids or who harbor privacy concerns it's something to be aware of.

In the latest version of Topaz Photo AI they've included a toggle buried at bottom of the preferences menu called 'Help Improve Autopilot'.

The description: "Some images will be anonymously sent to Topaz Labs."

When you update the software there's no disclosure of this change and the toggle's default status is set to 'On'. Therefore everyone using the software will likely be uploading images run through the program to Topaz' servers without any awareness of the fact.

I've provided feedback advising I feel it's inappropriate to assume such an authority and that any uploading of images should strictly be an opt-in situation.

I agree. I happened to find this out myself in the preferences of Photo AI yesterday when I updated the program. What I worried is that there were no options to opt-in or opt-out in previous versions. So it is possible that this has happened all the time for all Photo AI releases.

Did Topaz respond to your feedback?

capsized · Mar 21, 2023

Annie Ng said:
I agree. I happened to find this out myself in the preferences of Photo AI yesterday when I updated the program. What I worried is that there were no options to opt-in or opt-out in previous versions. So it is possible that this has happened all the time for all Photo AI releases.

Did Topaz respond to your feedback?

That would be concerning. No response as yet. There's a couple of posts about it on their community forums and it's been raised in the official Photo AI topic.

Ade60 · Mar 21, 2023

I have just looked in the preferences and was able to switch off the part at the bottom which said some images would be uploaded to the servers.

Hopefully this will help if you don't want anything uploaded.

--

adecoleman

Explore adecoleman’s 1,067 photos on Flickr!

www.flickr.com

Pov2 · Mar 21, 2023

We should find out what servers it is contacting and block them system wide. Or block Photo AI in the firewall. Auto updates won't work though.

lcubed11 · Mar 21, 2023

OMG! the panic.

i remember Topaz announcing the opt-in a while back.

i opted in since i wanted my sources (primarily tiff scans of 30+ year old slide and negative materials) to help their AI training. any children in those images are collecting social security now.

long live DPR!

capsized · Mar 22, 2023

lcubed11 said:
OMG! the panic.

i remember Topaz announcing the opt-in a while back.

I don't think anyone takes issue with opt-in announcements. Pushing updates that start harvesting images without disclosure is a different matter.

capsized · Mar 22, 2023

Topaz have posted an update to their forums addressing the issue.

The claim that it was implemented solely to improve camera profiles support is a little difficult to digest when it specifically said it was to assist with the Autopilot functionality, but the outcome is an agreeable one regardless. Take care all.

Member said:
To everyone participating in the discussion about the “Help Improve Autopilot” setting, thank you for sharing your thoughts.

Our plan to address the concerns is:

Make an update removing this image collection feature until we can implement an opt-in only version based on ideas in this discussion thread.
– This will also affect older versions of the app, so no versions of Photo AI will send any more images.

Completely clearing all images that are currently saved from prior versions.

For more context, any image collection was only done when all three of these criteria are met:

Photo AI is being used as a standalone app

Image is RAW

You have made manual changes to the image (autopilot is off)

Prior to 1.2.7, this option would appear within the save dialogue box when the above criteria were met – we moved this option’s location in 1.2.7 but retained the same criteria.

The images were being used to improve camera profiles support. No images submitted this way were used in model training. These images are not used for anything else, by anyone in the company. We do not look at the images, and only pull the camera metadata.

In summary, we are disabling image collection entirely for all versions of Photo AI and all collected images from all versions will be deleted.

mangurian · Mar 22, 2023

First world problem.

capsized · Mar 22, 2023

mangurian said:
First world problem.

As are you my friend, as are you...

zerored · Mar 22, 2023

[No message]

Jim B (MSP) · Mar 22, 2023

shock_me said:
Topaz have posted an update to their forums addressing the issue.

The claim that it was implemented solely to improve camera profiles support is a little difficult to digest when it specifically said it was to assist with the Autopilot functionality, but the outcome is an agreeable one regardless. Take care all.

Member said:

To everyone participating in the discussion about the “Help Improve Autopilot” setting, thank you for sharing your thoughts.

Our plan to address the concerns is:

Make an update removing this image collection feature until we can implement an opt-in only version based on ideas in this discussion thread.
– This will also affect older versions of the app, so no versions of Photo AI will send any more images.

Completely clearing all images that are currently saved from prior versions.

For more context, any image collection was only done when all three of these criteria are met:

Photo AI is being used as a standalone app

Image is RAW

You have made manual changes to the image (autopilot is off)

Prior to 1.2.7, this option would appear within the save dialogue box when the above criteria were met – we moved this option’s location in 1.2.7 but retained the same criteria.

The images were being used to improve camera profiles support. No images submitted this way were used in model training. These images are not used for anything else, by anyone in the company. We do not look at the images, and only pull the camera metadata.

In summary, we are disabling image collection entirely for all versions of Photo AI and all collected images from all versions will be deleted.

Click to expand...

Good solution.

stevevp · Mar 23, 2023

I think I read that Adobe also upload your photos to improve their AI. I guess it's a losing battle if you want to use their products.

PSxpert · Mar 23, 2023

I use this program a lot . I opened it and didn't find the uploading under preferences until I just saw there was a upgrade to version 1.2.7 . After upgrading I reopened the program and saw the newly added item . I would of never checked that out if it wasn't for your post . I left it checked since I do a lot of restoring of old photos for people on line . Maybe it will help them make the program better at restoring poor quality photos . Thanks for you posting . Tommy

bakubo · Mar 23, 2023

New version out today that removes that functionality:

https://community.topazlabs.com/t/topaz-photo-ai-v1-2-8/42093

It says they also disabled it for earlier versions too.

sybersitizen · Mar 23, 2023

mangurian said:
First world problem.

Just like 99% of all problems discussed in all DPR forums. Not sure why you thought this one required that comment.

WhateverNickname · Mar 23, 2023

OMG

aa I use it only for iPhone photos, that mostly means family shots ... so this is lawsuit material.

stevevp · Mar 24, 2023

fpessolano said:
OMG

aa I use it only for iPhone photos, that mostly means family shots ... so this is lawsuit material.

Fortunately Apple won't be uploading your photos to their servers. Doh! :-D

WhateverNickname · Mar 24, 2023

If you let them all do ...

Holger Bargen · Mar 25, 2023

shock_me said:
I'm sure this is a non-issue for many but for those with kids or who harbor privacy concerns it's something to be aware of.

In the latest version of Topaz Photo AI they've included a toggle buried at bottom of the preferences menu called 'Help Improve Autopilot'.

The description: "Some images will be anonymously sent to Topaz Labs."

When you update the software there's no disclosure of this change and the toggle's default status is set to 'On'. Therefore everyone using the software will likely be uploading images run through the program to Topaz' servers without any awareness of the fact.

I've provided feedback advising I feel it's inappropriate to assume such an authority and that any uploading of images should strictly be an opt-in situation.

What is happening there has its disadvantages as well as advantages.

As long as they do not misuse your photos in terms of using them for other things than training their AI, I would be willing to give them my photos. The result would be better performance of the program which would be an advantage for all users including me.

However, it is not OK to do uploads without asking first. That is not what I would expect from a professional software.

WARNING: Topaz Photo AI uploads photos to their servers

capsized

Guest

Senior Member

capsized

Guest

Active member

Senior Member

Leading Member

capsized

Guest

capsized

Guest

Senior Member

capsized

Guest

Leading Member

Forum Pro

Senior Member

Forum Enthusiast

Senior Member

Forum Pro

Senior Member

Senior Member

Senior Member

Veteran Member

Similar threads

Keyboard shortcuts