Spotify has changed its privacy policy and in what many have dubbed as rather ‘eerie’ changes, the music streaming company is seemingly going overboard with the amount of information it wants to collect from its subscribers.
First brought to light by Forbes writer Thomas Fox-Brewster, the privacy policy changes can be dubbed outright bizarre as the reason behind Spotify’s need to collect information such as photos, sensor data among other things is unknown.
In sections 3.3 and 3.4 of the new privacy policy, Spotify notes that it will be collecting information stored on your mobile device, such as contacts, photos, or media files. It also notes that it may also collect information about your location based on, for example, your phone’s GPS location or other forms of locating mobile devices (e.g., Bluetooth). It adds that it may also collect sensor data (e.g., data about the speed of your movements, such as whether you are running, walking, or in transit).
The streaming music company also notes in a capital letters that it reserves the right to share the data it collects with its business partners and this is something that should also concern users.
One question is why would the company want to collect information that is completely irrelevant to its core business. Photos, location data doesn’t really influence listening choices of a person. The answer could be that the company may have adopted a new revenue stream under which it is selling user data to third parties. Though this speculation isn’t based on any evidence, it is probable nonetheless.
