privacy

Spotify's Privacy Stumble Highlights Pros & Cons of Data Collection

by Ian Dunham, Policy Fellow

Last week, leading interactive streaming service Spotify came under fire for seemingly overreaching changes to its privacy policy, which, according to Wired, required that users give up files on mobile devices including photos, their location, their speed (which would disclose whether someone is in a car or running), what you post on Facebook, as well as information about contacts in a user’s phone. Soon thereafter, Wired then reported on Spotify’s clarification its policy, pointing to Spotify’s CEO Daniel Ek’s statement about what the service called “a major misunderstanding.” Wired also drew many comparisons between Spotify’s privacy policy and that of other services like Pandora, Rdio, Apple Music, Tidal, and Google Play Music, which have similar clauses.

We’ve seen these flurries of concern before, as in 2012 when Instagram announced changes to their terms of service which raised concerns in the musician community. If nothing else, this most recent incident regarding the amount of information that Internet companies collect has prompted discussion about user expectations, along with suggestions about what privacy policy should look like for Digital Service Providers (DSPs) in the music space and elsewhere.

by Michelle Davis, FMC Legal Intern and Kevin Erickson, Communications Associate

On Tuesday afternoon, the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property, and the Internet held a hearing titled “The Rise of Innovative Business Models: Content Delivery Methods in the Digital Age.” This was the latest in an ongoing series of hearings that the subcommittee began in May examining the roles played by copyright, technology and voluntary agreements, setting the stage for a top-to-bottom review of the Copyright Act.

by FMC Legal Intern Satie Munn

The issue of user privacy and digital technology has never been more present in people’s minds. Recent headlines have told alarming stories of governments becoming involved with the technology sector for the purposes of intelligence gathering. But many are also concerned about how private companies use personal data for profit, as when Instagram seemed to give itself permission to use its customers’ photos for whatever purpose it wanted, and was forced to adjust its policy after widespread outcry. read more

Do Not Disturb? Data & Privacy Online

When FMC’s staff book club went on Amazon to order copies of Creative License this summer, the online shopping service suggested we also check out Lawrence Lessig’s Remix, Greg Kot’s Ripped and Jonathan Zittrain’s The Future of the Internet and How

Dude, Where's My Data? Privacy and Information Security for Musicians and Fans

Adam Holofcener and Liz Allen

Monday, August 8, 2011

I. Why Does Privacy Matter?

Everyday brings new concerns about data in the online realm. From high-profile hacking incidents to issues around the use of personal information, our migration to digital platforms has tested traditional ideas about privacy. These developments also affect musicians and fans, especially as music is increasingly accessed via mobile devices, “apps” and social networks. read more

Security on the Net: There's No Such Thing

An email discussion about Privacy with Edith Frost

Jenny Toomey

Wednesday, January 19, 2000

And you thought rock chicks were helpless? Edith Frost has not only recorded a number of marvelous CDs for Drag City, but she’s also been an internet aficionado for years. She was the first person to challenge Kristin to forget those web software programs and “learn the code” (HTML, that is) and just recently showed Jenny her two computer system. As someone who’s interested in Internet security and other music/tech musings, she’s been nice enough to prep us all by providing us with the basics. Linux fans, take note! read more

privacy

Spotify's Privacy Stumble Highlights Pros & Cons of Data Collection

Copyright Hearing Recap: Content Delivery Methods in the Digital Age

What Does Jay-Z's New Album Tell Us About The Future of Online Privacy?

Do Not Disturb? Data & Privacy Online

Dude, Where's My Data? Privacy and Information Security for Musicians and Fans

Security on the Net: There's No Such Thing

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