Spotify's chief executive has published a blog post entitled "sorry" after it launched a new privacy policy widely condemned as creepy.
The music streaming service's new terms and conditions page asks users to agree to give the firm access to their photos, GPS co-ordinates, contacts and sensor information. It also said it would share that information with its commercial partners.
But after the move sparked outrage on the web, Daniel Ek has published a piece saying Spotify "should have done a better job in communicating what these policies mean".
He appears to stand by the new terms and conditions, but explains why they are necessary.
He said: "In our new privacy policy, we indicated that we may ask your permission to access new types of information, including photos, mobile device location, voice controls, and your contacts.
"Let me be crystal clear here: If you don't want to share this kind of information, you don't have to.
"We will ask for your express permission before accessing any of this data - and we will only use it for specific purposes that will allow you to customise your Spotify experience."
He said that a user's photos would only be used if they chose to use them as a playlist 'cover', for example.
Meanwhile, contacts would only be used if a Spotify user wanted to share a playlist, song or album with a friend.
Mr Ek finished by saying: "We have heard your concerns loud and clear," adding that the privacy policy would be updated and clarified in the next few weeks.
The music streaming service's new terms and conditions page asks users to agree to give the firm access to their photos, GPS co-ordinates, contacts and sensor information. It also said it would share that information with its commercial partners.
But after the move sparked outrage on the web, Daniel Ek has published a piece saying Spotify "should have done a better job in communicating what these policies mean".
He appears to stand by the new terms and conditions, but explains why they are necessary.
He said: "In our new privacy policy, we indicated that we may ask your permission to access new types of information, including photos, mobile device location, voice controls, and your contacts.
"Let me be crystal clear here: If you don't want to share this kind of information, you don't have to.
"We will ask for your express permission before accessing any of this data - and we will only use it for specific purposes that will allow you to customise your Spotify experience."
He said that a user's photos would only be used if they chose to use them as a playlist 'cover', for example.
Meanwhile, contacts would only be used if a Spotify user wanted to share a playlist, song or album with a friend.
Mr Ek finished by saying: "We have heard your concerns loud and clear," adding that the privacy policy would be updated and clarified in the next few weeks.
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