Is Apple’s New iTunes Spying On Your Music?

Almost lost in the Macworld list of product updates and improvements was QuickTime 7.0.4, and iTunes 6.0.2.

Privacy and spyware are hot items in computer news these days so many iTunes users were surprised to learn that version 6.0.2 adds a new MiniStore which connects back to Apple.

The so-called MiniStore in iTunes appears at the bottom of your Library and Playlist. Late yesterday, Macworld jumped the gun and reported that the MiniStore was probably spyware.

Spyware is roughly defined as an application that collects information from your computer and sends it to a remote server for collection and processing—without telling you about it.

Amazon does something similar when you search for a book, CD, DVD, or other product. Information about the search is collected, sent back to Amazon, and your browser screen updated with appropriately related information.

In fact, that collection and display is a hallmark of Amazon and is well known and publicized.

From a personal perspective, I prefer Amazon’s approach. It’s straightforward, remembers what I once searched for better than I remember, and does a good job of displaying other products which are related and that I may have an interest in purchasing.

Amazon’s display capability is uncanny, but it’s public knowledge and doesn’t usually qualify for the term “spyware.”

Many iTunes users were surprised, some outraged over what appeared to be “spyware” in the MiniStore function. iTunes 6.0.2 carries a banner across the bottom which highlights other albums and singles for sale on the iTunes Music Store.

That’s the MiniStore. It would, at first glance, appear to work in a vein similar to that of Amazon, by collecting information about your listening habits and “phoning home” to Apple’s iTunes Music Store, which then updates your display.

If your version of iTunes does not connect to the internet, there’s nothing to worry about. The Music Store connects to the internet, hence the hoopla and uproar.

What’s Apple’s stance on privacy? The typically lengthy Privacy Policy.

“Apple takes your privacy very seriously. Be assured that Apple does not sell or rent your contact information to other marketers. To help us provide superior service, your personal information may be shared with legal entities within the Apple group globally who will safeguard it in accordance with Apple’s privacy policy. There are also times when it may be advantageous for Apple to make certain personal information about you available to companies that Apple has a strategic relationship with or that perform work for Apple to provide products and services to you on our behalf. These companies may help us process information, extend credit, fulfill customer orders, deliver products to you, manage and enhance customer data, provide customer service, assess your interest in our products and services, or conduct customer research or satisfaction surveys. These companies are also obligated to protect your personal information in accordance with Apple’s policies. Without such information being made available, it would be difficult for you to purchase products, have products delivered to you, receive customer service, provide us feedback to improve our products and services, or access certain services, offers, and content on the Apple website.”

Bored yet? Basically, Apple says they won’t share your private information with others who sell products but they’ll do the same thing as others would do—try to sell things to you.

For now, what I see in the MiniStore is information. General information about music and videos available via iTMS. Once I click “Play” on a particular song, the MiniStore changes to reflect other songs, albums, and artwork from that artist (now playing in iTunes).

Try it with a recent song or popular artist. Try it with a more obscure (non-recent) artist. In each case, the MiniStore display changes.

Sharp-eyed Mac users with Little Snitch first caught the “movement” of data back and forth between your computer and Apple.

Macworld is reporting that Apple’s officials say the information is not “collected” per se, but discarded once the MiniStore is updated. That may mean that it works differently than Amazon’s collection data.

If I search or purchase on Amazon, I can be assured of receiving a promotional email within a few days. That email promo will contain other titles related to the ones I searched for previously.

Is that kind of “spyware” bad? In this case, I’m not worried about it at all, as it’s handy to know what else is available. Plus, Apple goes one step farther and lets me turn OFF the MiniStore.

Under the Edit menu, there’s a selection which says “Turn Off MiniStore.” That’s sufficient for me, though many iTunes users were upset at the potential privacy issues.

Tera Patricks
Much ado over not much. I would have preferred to know about it ahead of time, but it’s not an issue for me.

Bambi Hambi
It’s just another way to sell stuff to us. I may not be immune to it but I don’t pay much attention.

Alexis Kayhill
I love Little Snitch. What a great application.