CapCut (owned by ByteDance) amended its Terms of Service on 12 June 2025 to clarify that any content you upload including unpublished drafts, private clips, or voiceovers becomes under their licensing scope
In essence, the update emphasises that content must be “uploaded to our server” to apply—but once uploaded, whether public or private, it triggers the new terms .
What Rights CapCut Now Claims
- Broad Licence
You grant CapCut a worldwide, perpetual, royalty-free, non‑exclusive, sublicensable, transferable licence to use, modify, distribute, create derivative works, monetise—even sell or sublicense your content. - Private & Draft Content Included
This applies to all uploaded content, including drafts or private edits—not just content you publish or share. - No Revocation
The licence is irrevocable and perpetual, even if you delete your account or remove the content. - Personal Rights Waived
CapCut can use your face, voice, image, name, likeness without additional approvals, compensation, or credit. - Sublicensing & Monetisation
The terms allow CapCut to share or sell your content, or use it for ads, training data, third‑party platforms—without notification or payment.
Why You Should Care
- Creative control lost: Content—even unpublished work—can be used in ways you didn’t intend.
- Confidential risks: Any private or client‑project footage could be monetised or redistributed.
- Legal waivers: You give up rights to object, demand credit, or seek compensation.
Even though similar clauses exist in other platforms (like TikTok, Instagram, YouTube), CapCut's is particularly sweeping in scope and permanence
What You Can Do
- Avoid uploading sensitive content
Unless you're happy for CapCut to wield that broad licence, keep drafts and client work off its servers. - Export & use alternate software
Do final edits offline using tools like DaVinci Resolve, Adobe Premiere Pro, or Final Cut Pro. - Review internal workflows
Make team members or clients aware that using CapCut for commercial or confidential projects could breach your own IP policies. - Read the licence clauses
Sections on “User Content licence” or “Section 10” outline exactly what you grant when uploading
CapCut’s June 2025 update lays bare a growing trend: platforms offering convenience in exchange for extensive, irreversible licences on user content.
While CapCut doesn’t own your footage, it gains near‑plenary rights over what you upload including your likeness and ability to profit.
If you depend on retaining creative control especially for professional or confidential projects it’s wise to:
- Export early,
- Use offline editing tools, and
- Keep sensitive material off cloud‑based service
