Apple Inc. has finally given in and allowed users to delete the free U2 album placed on their iTunes media. It comes after a number of complaints from individuals over the possible breach of privacy. Many users have claimed they never wanted or asked for the album, but were shocked to find it within their iTunes media.
At the announcement of the iPhone 6 and Apple Watch, U2 announced that all iTunes users would be given their album for free. Within moments, 500 million people found it in their libraries without having to do anything. The Songs of Innocence was seen as a gift from Apple Inc. by the company, but certainly not for users.
What made it worse for some was that there was no clear way of deleting the unwanted album. It would take up space, some of which was paid for by people. It led to many users complaining to the company, asking for a way to get rid of their unwanted gift.
This has led to the tech giant creating a quick and easy way to remove the album. With just one click, users will be able to get rid of it. Users simply have to go to the iTunes SOI Removal page.
While Apple Inc. is allowing users to delete the free U2 album, the company wants to make it clear that this is a permanent thing. There will be no option to re-download the album from the “previous purchases” section. If users decide that they want to get the album again, they will need to purchase it.
However, it is likely that those who delete it would never have bought a U2 album in the first place. Some may even want to do it as a point to the company for invading their privacy. Some view this has an extremely negative thing to do, because it shows how they have access to a user’s media. It is bad enough that there are complaints over the privacy of the iCloud after Jennifer Lawrence’s and other celebrities’ nude photos were stolen this month.
The good news for those who do want to buy the album again is that it will be available for free up until October 13, 2014. Even those who delete it now appear to be able to get it for free up until then. This could be a great option for those who want to make a point that they will choose what goes into their iTunes libraries.
The release of the album was a show of the collaboration between the band and Apple Inc. However, the two may need to rethink their options after the backlash that has occurred from the recent gift. It is clear that people want to choose their own music, and do not want an album forced on them. If Apple wants to give a gift, at least make it easy to delete or hide the album so they do not have to listen to it. At least, Apple Inc. has now given an option for users to delete the free U2 album.
Opinion by Alexandria Ingham
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7 Responses
I performed some research on this. Apparently Apple has a lot of un-used, and expired gift cards that people haven’t used.
So, in order for Apple to be a 100% Irish company, it has to transfer the money to Ireland somehow. The easiest way is for Apple to move the money from the US to Ireland is to give a record away for free, and pay U2 the typical per-copy rate on the back end.
In all, it’s very easy to do.
Wow – Can’t believe the comments here!! First off, Hiram – get your facts straight. There was NO WAY to delete it. I called Apple and went through two levels of support. Fortunately for my trouble, I was given 5 free songs.
Secondly, and more importantly… Giving for free is perfectly fine, but it should have been posted on iTunes and users CHOOSE to download it (JUST LIKE ALL OTHER FREE MEDIA POSTED on iTunes). The music was not “Pushed”, it didn’t take up space, it was only ATTACHED to everyones account (As if you pushed “Purchase”), which doesn’t mean Apple is invading your privacy. I would have been fine with this as long as I could delete, but you can’t delete purchased media tied to your account.
This author could have done a little better job writing the facts… I would like to know her source of who is saying it raised concerns of PRIVACY. I was not concerned, I just called Apple and said I don’t like the alblum and I want it removed (because my car would play it automatically).
It comes down to “choice”. Everyone in this world wants to make his/her own choice, not be forced. Apple has done right by offerring the delete. No harm done.
I meant model S, of course
I wish tesla would force a free model 7 on me. I’d get mine and yours as well.
Any song can be deleted. Apple doesn’t allow or disallow it. It is, and always has been, user choice. What Apple did do, is create a way to delete the entire album in one click. Such ignorance from a “news source” is discouraging.
They should have done it with a link to get the free album. You want it; you paid nothing for it, click somewhere and you got it. Instead, they force it to you, it’s there in your list; and you got to go somewhere to click a link to remove it. That’s the difference…for the user
Thoughts are that this is complete press garbage. If you don’t want it don’t listen to it.
Now it can be deleted; so shut up! Nothing was breached. It was a push to all AAPL users for free!
I suggest you skip the free upgrade of iOS next time, since you don’t like free things.