Spotify boss says sorry for privacy changes

SPOTIFY chief executive Daniel Ek has apologised following anger over the music streaming service’s new data privacy policy.

Some users said they were leaving the music service over changes in its terms and conditions.

The new terms included access to pictures, contact phone numbers and other data stored on the user’s smartphone.

Mr Ek apologised in a blogpost for the “confusion” the changes had created.

He promised an “update” to the new policy in order to clarify it but did not suggest that the terms themselves would be changed.

“We should have done a better job in communicating what these policies mean and how any information you choose to share will - and will not - be used,” Mr Ek wrote.

He said Spotify would not access or import people’s photos, contacts or GPS data without their permission.

Minecraft creator

“We should have done a better job communicating” Daniel Ek

Markus Persson, aka Notch, had tweeted to his 2.4 million followers earlier that he was cancelling his account.

Spotify had said in response that the changes to its privacy policy would help it “tailor improved user experience”.

Sensor data, such as how fast the user’s phone is moving, helped the Swedish firm develop Spotify Running, a new feature that tailors music playlists to physical activity.

“Spotify is constantly innovating and evolving its service to deliver the best possible experience for our users. This means delivering the perfect recommendations for every moment, and helping you to enjoy, discover and share more music than ever before,” Spotify said in an earlier statement.

“Throughout, the privacy and security of our customers’ data is - and will remain - Spotify’s highest priority.

“We will always ask for individual permission or clearly inform you of the ability to opt out from sharing location, photos, voice and contacts.”