Spotify updates hated privacy policy ... with exact same policy Music-streaming service Spotify has finished editing its controversial privacy policy – to better explain why it's slurping people's private information, rather than taking an axe to the document. Writing on the Spotify blog, CEO Daniel Ek said the new policy will kick in over the next few days: it will use some new wordings …
"Yes, we still need to provide greater detail in the body of the policy, but those details are, and will always be, in keeping with the fundamental privacy principles we outline in the Introduction."
Thing is, if Spotify explain "this data is needed for functionality x and y, and this data is needed for z", well, that's nice. But if the privacy policy itself doesn't restrict use of the data to x, y, and z, then once Spotify gets their hands on the data they can use it for whatever purpose they want.
From the spotify blog, regarding access to photos...
'Those photos would only be used in ways you choose and control – to create personalized cover art for a playlist or to change your profile image, for example.'
Not everything in life is about shafting someone else. They could have worded the privacy policy more explicitly, but then they would need you to read and accept a new policy every time a new service was added.
As it happens I'm not interested in any of this social guff. Most people have crap taste and I'm probably one of them. But that doesn't mean my default assumption should be that they're going to try and do something 'evil' with it (what exactly?)
If that makes me stupid then fine, I'm stupid. But how exactly did you manage to get access on any device in order to post that message? I can't think of any phone/tablet/'puter/iot fridge that doesn't make you go through an EULA before using it. And there's no way you can have signed up to that and then be bothered about Spotify.
I can't think of any phone/tablet/'puter/iot fridge that doesn't make you go through an EULA before using it
I'm using one right now. It's not tricky if it matters to you...
And there's no way you can have signed up to that and then be bothered about Spotify
Well, I'm not bothered about Spotify[1]. But I am bothered about trojan horses on the machines of friends and customers...
None of these EULAs is released without having gone past the corprat lawyers. If they say something ambiguous, then it's because the lawyer has decided that ambiguity is the more profitable course of action. It's not hard to be specific.
Vic.
[1] Being of somewhat conservative musical taste, I probably already have all the music I'll ever want. Preiodically, I sample new bands, but very rarely do I find anything that interests me. I am an old git.
First, my Linux PC did not require me to read any EULA.
Second, I truly appreciate El Reg's courtesy for allowing us to create a profile in order to sign in. As an example, Computerworld is asking me to sign in using my social account (please El Reg don't ever do this to us!) so I simply stay away from posting any comment.
When I update my Android apps, there's usually one or two that suddenly want to get into my unrelated info. Autotrader was one example. Lately several more wanted to slurp all my data. After a few cycles of leaving them not updated, it's just easier to uninstall them. Bye bye.
I may have to buy another $60 Android tablet, keep it free of data, and let them slurp away on an empty tablet.
There is an alternative, root your device and install an app call "App Ops" it lets you turn the each permission off for whatever app you want.
Also there's an app called "No Bloat" that lets you remove "uninstallable" apps, I've found it to be a bit hit and miss though.
Whether these work as advertised I am unsure but at least it something. Eventually I'll spend a little time and work out how permissions are done as I'm au faut with Linux and it can't be that difficult to change in a terminal.
Perhaps move user data to the "liability" model. If you ask for it, you bought it...
Why does Spotify need *any* personal data? Surely it is a music player and the only relevant thing it needs to know is, y'know, the music?
Please Google I hope in the next Android release we get 100% user control on crappy apps asking for whatevertheycangetawaywith...
P.
Rather than puff more steam into a cloud, I thought I would email Daniel Ek, well I actually got a response....
Of course it could have been a minion, but any response is better than a poke in the nose with a blunt stick.
Here it is:
From: Daniel Ek <daniel@spotify.com>
Sent: 24 August 2015 20:45:55 BST
To: Jay
Subject: Re: Ts&Cs
Jay,
Appreciate you reaching out. We are working on a new set of T&Cs as we clearly could have done a better job communicating this. Please read https://news.spotify.com/us/2015/08/21/sorry-2/ for more info.
All the best,
Daniel
On Mon, 24 Aug 2015 jay wrote:
> Daniel,
>
> I hope you are Daniel I was hoping to contact, please accept my apologies if that is not the case.
> I have been a premium spotify subscriber for a fair few years now, my wife and son love it, it has revolutionised how we listen to and discover music.
> When I heard about the 'new' t&cs, I thought it was a wind up, I mean surely Spotify could not be THAT STUPID?
>
> The whole thing is reminescent of Microsoft on a bad day, after they have had too much sugarey breakfast cereals....
>
> Hence unless the whole thing is unwound, you will be losing a long-term customer shortly.
>
> Apparently I have 30 days to 'accept the new terms', err no I don't mate, I have 30 days to migrate to one or more of your rivals...
>
> I will also ensure that everyone I have recommended Spotify to are fully aware of the shocking implications of what Spotify is up to...
>
> I appreciate you are a little busy at the mo(!), a reply would be nice, but not a lump of PR spiel-on-a-plate....
> Kind regards,
>
> Jay
Well there wasn't another reply. So with the help of Spotizr, all (well 96% anyway) of our playlists were migrated to Deezer, took about 10 minutes end-to-end!
An unexpected bonus is that the audio quality of Deezer is DRAMATICALLY better than Spotify, to the extent that wifey noticed it (and she has poor hearing in one lug hole...)
Cheers,
Jay.
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