Personal data found hidden in iTunes tracks

[TheMercenary]

Fresh privacy fears have been sparked after it emerged that Apple has embedded personal information into music files bought from its iTunes online music store.

Technology websites examining iTunes products discovered that personal data, including the name and e-mail addresses of purchasers, are embedded into the AAC files that Apple uses to distribute music tracks.

The information is also included in tracks sold under Apple’s iTunes Plus system, launched this week, where users pay a premium for music that is free from the controversial digital rights (DRM) software that is designed to safeguard against piracy.


http://business.timesonline.co.uk/to...cle1871173.ece

[richlevy]

Originally Posted by TheMercenary

The information is also included in tracks sold under Apple’s iTunes Plus system, launched this week, where users pay a premium for music that is free from the controversial digital rights (DRM) software that is designed to safeguard against piracy.

So even the 'no strings' music has strings. Typical. This is why I'd rather buy CD's and make my own MP3's than deal with these yo-yos. Their campaign to destroy the 'fair use' and 'first sale' doctrines just keeps getting nastier. Since they seem to be setting up their own little Patriot Act, why don't they just come up with a title like "The War on Consumers".

It's funny when you compare book and music publishing. Baen books actually posts free copies of older books for download. Publishers donate books to organizations like First Book to give to children. Only part of this is charity. The other part is the realization that by not being schmucks they help build future demand. Compare this to the 'lawyers, guns, and money' approach of the music industry.

What the music industry seems to forget is that the original copyright laws only covered maps. All other copyright was granted by Congress, representing the 'best interests' of the public, over the last two centuries. Some things like typeface fonts are specifically excluded from copyright.

If the boys and girls don't play nice, Uncle Sam is going to take away their toys.

[TheMercenary]

I am waiting for them to start taking away our ability to make our own MP3's through altering the technology we now have available on our personal puters.

[richlevy]

Originally Posted by TheMercenary

I am waiting for them to start taking away our ability to make our own MP3's through altering the technology we now have available on our personal puters.

They have tried forcing DRM into software. I think Microsoft caved. They might try forcing it into hardware, but so far the hardware industry has been able to match the content industries bribes to Congress.

[TheMercenary]

If we hang on to an old drive and computer, I have an older laptop, would it overcome the DRM and allow me to still make files?

[Happy Monkey]

Originally Posted by richlevy

They have tried forcing DRM into software. I think Microsoft caved. They might try forcing it into hardware, but so far the hardware industry has been able to match the content industries bribes to Congress.

Have they? The HDMI standard is chock full of DRM.

[richlevy]

Originally Posted by TheMercenary

If we hang on to an old drive and computer, I have an older laptop, would it overcome the DRM and allow me to still make files?

If DRM is built into the format, then no. As for ripping from an audio CD, unless Sony brings back the rootkit, you can still do that.

[Urbane Guerrilla]

Nice Zevon reference there, Rich.

Sounds like the place to download from is musicians' own pages -- say
Dana Lyons' "Cows With Guns.

The Flash animation 5m23s file has better sound fidelity than the YouTube copy posted to I can't remember which thread.