Spotify shows too curious with its users – Les Echos

The last update of Spotify’s privacy policy may be you will think twice the next time you download an application and accept – without reading – the required permissions. For Spotify, music streaming service, has just demonstrated that he wanted to know everything about you, photos, contacts, geolocation … last update its terms and conditions of service in the United States and in England rather salty. And evil passes to users.

In an article published in “Forbes”, the journalist Thomas Fox Brewster tells his surprise when he took a look at the implications of update its Spotify. And to list: “They want access to sensory sensor information from your phone to determine whether you walk, run or stand. They want to know your GPS coordinates, retrieve photos from your phone and also take a look at your contacts. And they could share information with partners, so that a lot of companies could know exactly where you are and what you are doing. “

Beyond that quotes the journalist, Spotify also reserves the right to collect your voice commands, if the user gives permission (without specifying how this permission is granted). And if until now the service already recorded your research, it now allows to remember the time and date related to the research.

In a blog post entitled “SORRY.” and on Friday evening, the CEO of Spotify, Daniel Ek returns on these accusations and considers this a quack of communication and that the changes have been misunderstood. “We are 100% committed to protecting the privacy of our users and to ensure that they have control over information they share,” he says.

Citing one after the other formats, ensures that Spotify does not give the right to access your photos, GPS coordinates, contacts …. without “your permission”, but without defining how the user will agree to that Spotify has access. For photos and GPS coordinates, the agreement should be “explicit” according Spotify

What will these Spotify. – Your – information?

The Swedish company said that the collection of this information will allow him to “design a better experience for [the] users, and build new, customized products the future. ” The boss of Spotify, Daniel Ek, says that access to the photos will allow users to “customize a playlist having any image or a new profile picture.” As for the sensory sensor, it could be related to a new application fitness.

In her post “SORRY.” The CEO recognizes “share some information with partners, (… ), but the information is de-identified – your information is not shared them. “, he assures

The Swedish group, which claims” over 75 million ” active users including “over 20 million” fee, in 58 countries, through a delicate phase of its development with the arrival of a powerful competitor, the US Apple. Apple Music was launched June 30 in more than 100 countries, the inventor of the iPod and iPhone have come to be convinced that the future was not for download.

Les Echos with AFP