Jon says

So, how do you turn it off?

Brian says

It appears that there's a preference for disabling it. Unfortunately, you're given no warning beforehand that your fresh, new copy of iTunes is uploading information to a third party. Sneaky and rotten. I'm really surprised that Apple is resorting to this sort of thing. If they need the cash that badly they could just up the iTunes downloads to an even $1.00!

Gedeon says

Yes, that "preference" for disabling it is as simple as turning off the mini-store option via the edit menu. As for this being "sneaky" its no more sneaky then Google displaying ads based on what you just searched on. Apple already knows the songs you bought at the iTunes music store, and if this helps me find music that I like easier, then I for one welcome it. Since its easy to turn off, I think everyone should just take a chill pill. Stop spreading FUD.

Brian says

Just call me Elmer FUD.

Jon says

I'm with Brian, and I must say, from both a technical and legal standpoint, what Apple is doing is considerably different than what Google is doing. In fact, just like Sony, Apple comes close to violating privacy laws by monitoring users and collecting and distributing private information without explicit permission from the users.

I for one do appreciate good recommendations, whether it's an appropriate Google Ad, or something Amazon correctly deducts I would enjoy, even the new beta suggestions from Apple. But to track, collect and distribute--and that not just for internal use, but to a marketing firm--private user information from an individual's hard drive is, in fact, cause for a stir.

And what bothers me is that the preference is not to disable the mini-store; it is only to turn off the visual aspect of it, giving the user no assurances that the dissemination of one's private information has ceased.

John Marstall says

I dunno, Ged; if the mini-store were only sending back the song titles of songs you'd purchased from the music store, I might agree. However -- as I understand it -- any song you're playing from your library, even ones you bought on CD or from some other source, is reported back to Apple. That does bother me a little.

A clearly-worded opt-in dialog on the new version's first launch would be very welcome.

Gedeon Maheux says

Dunno guys. Everything I've read about the ministore says that once you turn it off, its off. Also, can you point me to a link that says that songs you ripped yourself are being transmitted to Apple, because once again, I've not seen that anywhere.

Jon says

The links Brian has above all report that all song data, including music you bought, music you downloaded somewhere else (maybe a P2P), songs you ripped yourself, all that info is going to Apple.

MacWorld
reports in their updated article that it has been confirmed that "hiding" the mini-store actually does discontinue the transmitting of your personal information to Apple.

Gedeon says

Yep, a simple test with iPulse confirmed that when the mini-store is closed no data is transmitted. It did attempt to suggest selections for songs that I did not purchase from Apple. Depending on your point of view, this could be good or bad. I happen to think its good and there is no evidence to suggest that Apple is selling this information to 3rd party marketers. Our opinions differ obviously.

Brian says

Perhaps I'm being overly alarmist about the situation. It's simply a case of me wanting Apple - a company whose products I appreciate very much - to remain a notch above everyone else, be it regarding their merchandise or their reputation. I think I'll put on another record and forget about it. And to any good folk at Apple, Omniture, or anyplace else who can see what I'm spinning: It has my highest recommendation!

Jon says

I don't think it's a bad thing at all that Apple is using my the private information of my specific likes and dislikes to suggest music I might not have otherwise found. In fact, I have benefitted from this myself multiple times from iTunes in the past. I just react to the secrecy with which Apple is doing it, the fact that they officially have still not admitted to it or addressed the situation.

Apple's general users tend to hold them in very high regard, and for the very large part, rightly so, IMO. The 'mini-store' and the recommendations was a good idea, I totally agree. Doing it without obtaining permission is what bothers me.

It's almost as VW redesigning the Jetta to look just like a Toyota Corrolla.

=^)

John Marstall says

Right. Good on Apple for building in a recommendations feature; bad on them for not explaining to the user that it entails the collection of personal information.

Josh Williams says

I ripped two of my own CDs this morning, and was quite surprised when Apple recommended other material from those two artists as I ripped the CDs. I don't know if this really bugs me, but don't tell me Apple's not making note of this info...

Mike Doan says

Oh no! This is so scary! Apple will know that I *heart* Air Supply.

This is really a big deal about nothing.

Gedeon says

Note the first paragraph:

http://www.macworld.com/weblogs/editors/2006/01/ministore/index.php

I guess you can either choose to believe Apple (which is simply trying to sell you more music) or not.

Brian says

You *heart* Air Supply? I pray that upon discovery of such that Apple immediately dispatches a musical intervention squad to your house!

Rock on, everybody.

Jon says

Actually, I think what you mean is, either we can choose to believe what an annonymous Apple representative unofficially told a website that is officially un-related to Apple on every level, despite the fact that user information is being sent to Omniture, a marketing company which is not an Apple subsidiary, although they may work for Apple.

Apple has not responded to this situation. An annonymous Apple rep (...yeah, I can already hear it: But it was supposed to be Steve Jobs...Steve Jobs!!!) makes an unofficial statement, whilst remaining annonymous. That's not exactly "Apple," friends.

Again, the recommendations are great. Ganking info off one's harddrive without permission or admitting to it is not so great. Even if annonymous Uncle Steve musters up the courage to offer a half-hearted explanation to Macworld.

John Marstall says

Problem solved. Apple has started asking permission of the user to activate the mini-store, while explaining just what info is sent and whether it is retained (they claim it's not).

Jon says

Yah! As John-with-an-H-said, problem solved. Now we can all invite Gedeon over for some XBox 360...one of us just needs to get a 360 first.

...bring on the recommendations.

Gedeon says

Apple has always been a company that responds to user's needs and concerns, so its not surprising that they would add this given all of the furor. I'm glad they did this (it is the right thing to do in fact) but even this isn't going to be enough for some people. You can't please all of the people all of the time.

Now about that XBox playing... can we make it some wi-fi Mario Cart DS racing instead?? :-)

John Marstall says

Ah, if only I had a DS.

JT says

Not that this post needs another comment, but I agree that Apple should at least allow the user to clearly opt-out during the first launch of iTunes - right after the EULA. The mini-store is a slick feature, and seems to work well. But, that's besides the point.

Bennett says

A rolling stone gathers no moss... Bennett

Catherine says

Each bird loves to hear himself sing... Catherine

Ottewell says

He that comes first to the hill may sit where he will... Ottewell