How Not To Make Music Social: The Way Spotify And Facebook Did It
from the massively-lame dept
Last week there was a lot of talk about Facebook's new setup, which would allow for tighter integration and sharing of everything that people do, with music being a key example. Whether or not that's a good idea, I have no idea. To be honest, I think that it could make sense long term -- but the way that it's been implemented seems like a disaster to me, as I discovered when I logged into Spotify today. Apparently, Spotify is pissing off a ton of people by requiring a Facebook login to use the service now. I have less of an issue with that than I do with the fact that Spotify popped up a box telling me I had to connect to Facebook, but not making it at all clear what that meant. It notes that Spotify can share the details of what I'm listening to with others, but does not explain what that means. Will it share everything I play with everyone automatically? Will it give me the option of what to share? Will it give me the option of who I'm sharing it with? That's not clear at all. Even worse, nowhere is there any explanation of how or where I can find out more. Instead, Spotify just opens as normal.It turns out that Spotify just starts sharing everything you play on Facebook, without even making it clear to the user that it's doing that. I couldn't find that info on my own profile. It was only after I asked a question and a Facebook friend told me what I was listening to that I knew the info was being shared. Even worse, how to turn it off is not clear at all either. Thankfully Lifehacker explains how to stop spamming everyone with what you're playing on Spotify. You can do so by unchecking the following box, which makes no sense at all:
Again, I'd have no problem sharing some of what I listen to if I have control over it. But, really, are any of my friends really going to want to know when I play the "lullaby playlist" I put together for my son? There are some friends with whom I have no problem sharing what I'm listening to, but plenty of others where it's just not something I'd share with them at all. And perhaps there are hidden controls buried in the preferences somewhere, but it's not at all clear, which leads me to now totally distrust Spotify and Facebook. Facebook I was already on the fence about, but I liked Spotify (and pay for a subscription). If these companies can't even get the basics right concerning how I can share my info, I'm going to have to look elsewhere. It's amazing how quickly a company can destroy a ton of goodwill.
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Filed Under: clarity, music, privacy, social
Companies: facebook, spotify
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I still might cancel it because I don't like the way they have handled this. Now that they have pulled this stunt they have lost my trust. I don't fully trust any online service, but once a service proves that my lack of trust is justified I usually don't go back.
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it could not care less about any of you.
the requirement to join Facebook is the
first big step to "Big Brother" - everything
you do on the internet and soon on your
computer just goe out to everybody.
get used to having NO privacy!
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Oh wait. Nevermind.
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Combine those, you get share everything with no way to customize what you share or who you share it with, exactly what's happening.
And amazingly, even though they've incited many, many episodes of furious outrage (that's even gotten them in trouble with congress a few times) they have not learned a damn thing. They still have this insane arrogance that they know better than everyone what's best for them and do they do whatever they damn please. Even when a deaf & blind beggar who's never used the Internet could predict what they're doing will piss everyone off.
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*Disclaimer: I don't have a facebook account, and every time I even start to consider making one, something like this happens, so I probably never will have an account.
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It was buried in the ToS, so everyone that uses FB has accepted this.
Source for allegations: http://www.smh.com.au/technology/technology-news/facebook-tracks-you-even-after-logging-out-20110926 -1ksfk.html#ixzz1Z1vC3MlP
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"Why can't Spotify just be upfront and honest"?
You know, Mike, pretty soon, as young idiots continue to build "features" that no reasonable person can stand, you're going to become indistinguishable from numerous grumpy geezers (the "get off my lawn" trope). -- EVERY ONE OF YOU WILL! And then you'll be called "Luddite", "dinosaur", and so on. Enjoy.
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Re: "Why can't Spotify just be upfront and honest"?
your "free" is either not free.... or you missed the paid part.
Care to rethink that rant?
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Re: "GET OFF MY LAWN"
I want to have some thing "nice." i.e. The way I want it, not the way you want it. The thing is, a lot of things could be had both ways or many ways but a few people catering to the "masses" TRAMPLE my way (my "lawn").
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I don't like that. Nor do I like those places that figure you should opt-out (because it's fishy and no one in their right mind would probably agree without some sort of incentive to do so.
I've always operated by the theme that no one will protect your privacy for you.
Good bye Spotify, I never knew you.
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I signed up for your service/site with the information I am using for my own personal reasons. I went out of my way not to use my google, live, or facebook information. You asking me repeatedly to do so only detracts from the marginal value I find in your service/site. When that value reaches 0 I stop my relationship with your service/site. I realize there are millions of people that only can remember their facebook login info and want to use it for everything and I respect your desire to make it easy for them. Please allow me to choose how I consume your product.
Thank you very much.
Now I have to go chase that pesky out_of_the_blue off my lawn.
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u get what u pay for
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Re: u get what u pay for
Did you miss the part where I said I pay for a Spotify account? That is, I *do* license the music I listen to.
Yes, you did miss that part.
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They, in contrast, scrape your data and ship it to places known only to the Good Lord, which is not commendable.
While the internet is easily the most valuable technology-based, communication system that has arisen for the benefit of the public over the past 15-20 years, the surreptitious and at times underhanded way personal data is being gathered for sale to the highest bidder makes the system on occasion seem almost like a curse.
Copyright infringement is one aspect of the internet that gives me pause for concern, but the loss of personal privacy about what I do, where and when I do it, etc. is in my view far more pernicious.
Frankly, I am now curious just what business relationship exists between sites like Facebook and other internet sites where the "sale" of private data is an apparent part of the relationship. Who knows? Maybe there are some benefits to that which is offered by legacy companies.
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Spotify pays next to nothing
To support artists, pay them directly. Stop supporting these terrible giants who are trying to become the next exploiters in place of the former major labels. (Oh, actually, the major labels are huge investors in Spotify.)
Support individuals.
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Re: u get what u pay for
Or you can do what was described in the article: You can pay to license music from Spotify and still have some arrogant punk in California holding your private data in a vice like grip.
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Choice 3
The whole thing is a scam against (most) artists and in favor of the major players.
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It has settings
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"basics right concerning how I can share my info"
A required Facebook login will become nearly universal as a de facto ID. -- You can take that to the bank, literally, ha. -- Soon be impossible to do even commenting without it, already is at LATimes.
[Right now, you're at the stage in this horror movie where you've noticed some odd habits of "Count Alucard". Next is the shock that he doesn't have a reflection in a mirror. You'll be ineluctably lead to a conclusion that you dread.]
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Why Spotify?
Spotify is foolish to require new subscribers who are willing to pay, to connect with with Facebook. It is no secret that Spotify wants to data mine your Facebook page for advertisements. But if you pay, they shouldn't need to do this. Unless they do it anyway....
I honestly don't see what is so great about Spotify anyway. Besides the interface, what does it offer that Rhapsody and MOG do not? I currently pay for Rhapsody and I have payed for MOG. I have used Spotify's free service and trialed Rdio. In all honesty, I see nothing all that impressive about Spotify.
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Also a laugh that Spotify did this AFTER you promoted them here!
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Facebook isn't out to 'get you'
Of course the posting thing on spotify is a bit annoying, but it can be turned off, and I'm sure that there are bigger annoyances in your life than that.
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Re: Facebook isn't out to 'get you'
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Re: Facebook isn't out to 'get you'
Just sayin'.
For the record, I don't mind being identified for my account. That can be done with my name, address and credit card! It should be done by THAT company It does NOT need to be done in concert with a third party company whose main goal is to gather as much information about everyone as it can.
Also, can you guess the percentage of those people who, later in life, will rue the day they that Spotify posted "Jann Gobble listened to 'Smack my B*tch' on September 26, 2011"? Do you REALLY want all your listening habits (and TV watching habits, and the phone numbers you call, etc) in the hands of a company who can use them as it sees fit? At least with the phone company, a court order is required!
Jann
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I was completely confused
That explains why I've not had any trouble.
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Given that Facebook are well-known spammers...
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Glad to see I am not the only one
The thing that is doing it for me is that every time there is a change, they try to open everything up and not tell you. You have to go in and shut it back down. I don't want people to know what music, movies, books, etc I am listening too, watching or reading. I especially don't like the new timeline feature. Facebook is gathering too much info in one place.
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My loathing for Inyourfacebook grows weekly at the moment, with most people I know using that rather than emailing, I'm forced to belong to it even tho everything in my entire being screams "run away" everytime I log in. I don't WANT my entire existence out there even if other people are largely ignoring it. I don't want my friends and relations knowing every last thing I've done this week.
Whatever happened to private space along side keeping in touch with people?
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Response to: Strawbear on Sep 27th, 2011 @ 5:26am
I can turn my phone, internet, and email off at any time. And still talk to my friends & family. Its called writing, or (gasp!) even visiting in person for a face to face live chat that isn't video!
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Response to: Strawbear on Sep 27th, 2011 @ 5:26am
I can turn my phone, internet, and email off at any time. And still talk to my friends & family. Its called writing, or (gasp!) even visiting in person for a face to face live chat that isn't video!
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Time for diaspora folks
I'm surprised we've got this far down and no-one's mentioned Diaspora: http://joindiaspora.com
Its the alternative private-friendly version of Facebook. Even Mark Zuckerbergs's on it. However it needs volumes of people to get others to switch.
I think you can give out infinite invites now - if anyone wants an invite you can contact me via my website http://www.ianchanning.com/contact/.
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No Spotify for me
Oh well, I guess I'll never even try Spotify.
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Making Music Social
As these Social giants play on hosted solutions, I think it is worth it to look at a new birth of music experience and that is MyStream.
MyStream is a mobile to mobile audio streaming and sharing technology that allows one to One or one to many users the ability to share music in a private network.
The software turns each mobile device into a client and server and thaws guys are a small startup with a huge idea!!!
Check em out on: YouTube.com/mystreamapp. There are 2 video to see.
Product landing page is www.mystreamapp.com. App is currently free on iTunes AppStore and they are working on the Droid.
Be cool! Try it out and clearly they just started and will continue to build on the original concept.
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FUCK SPOTIFY THEN
Your loss, fools!
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Facebook killed music sharing
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Spotify doesn't pay artists near enough
As for the Facebook thing it isn't a big deal if you simply log in to your Facebook and change the settings directly there. Those are miniscule problems compared to the dying music industry thanks to monsters like Spotify!
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Spotify is highly suspect, but even Assange warns of face book.
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