While teaching a group of journalism trainees at the Media Academy, I noticed several were using CapCut to edit their mobile news stories—without much awareness of the hidden risks in the platform’s Terms of Service.

As someone who’s spent years training #Newscreators and mobile journalists around the world, I always aim to help students make informed choices about the tools they use.

CapCut’s recent TOS update grants the company broad, lasting rights to almost anything you upload—meaning your footage can be modified, reused, or monetized beyond your original intent. Their policy also treats all uploaded content as “non-confidential,” raising real concerns about protecting sources or sensitive materials in our reporting. For a detailed breakdown, see this article on CapCut’s policy update raising red flags for newsrooms and further legal insights in CapCut trouble over new Terms of Service. Additional discussions on the broader internet reaction and potential risks can be found here and this blog review for creators.

This isn’t about fear—it’s about professional awareness. As educators and journalists, we have to regularly revisit how platforms and software choices can impact our work and those we aim to protect. I’m curious: Have you faced similar situations in your classrooms or newsrooms? How do you approach conversations about digital tool risks when teaching or collaborating with journalists and students?

Share your experiences, suggestions, or stories below. Let’s help each other keep our practices safe and our journalism strong.

#MobileJournalism #Newscreators #DigitalStorytelling #JournalismEthics #CapCutRisks

Sources:

  1. CapCut’s policy update raises major red flags for newsrooms, journalism.co.uk, 2025 link
  2. CapCut trouble over new Terms of Service: Legal risks, 2B Advice, 2025 link
  3. CapCut’s new terms of service are angering the internet, Digital Camera World, 2025 link
  4. CapCut’s New Terms: What Creators Need to Know, Isaboke Law Blog, 2025 link
  5. CapCut Terms of Service, CapCut official, 2025 link
  1. https://www.capcut.com/clause/terms-of-service
  2. https://2b-advice.com/en/2025/07/04/capcut-trouble-over-new-terms-of-service-legal-risks-lurk-here/
  3. https://www.journalism.co.uk/news-commentary/capcut-s-policy-update-raises-major-red-flags-for-newsrooms/s6/a1257632/
  4. https://www.isabokelaw.com/blog/capcuts-new-terms-of-service-what-every-content-creator-needs-to-know
  5. https://90seconds.com/blog/what-capcuts-terms-of-service-really-mean-for-your-content/
  6. https://lbplegal.com/en/capcut-and-licensing-and-legal-issues-what-you-need-to-know-as-a-creator/
  7. https://www.savvydc.co.uk/blog/capcut-s-new-terms-what-every-creator-must-know
  8. https://www.pulse-advertising.com/news/capcuts-updated-terms-june-2025/
  9. https://www.linkedin.com/posts/sophiasmithgaler_capcuts-recent-terms-of-service-change-are-activity-7341010666855489536-jg4J
  10. https://blazemedia.co.uk/2025/06/26/capcut-2025-copyright-changes