Read on Twitter
I discussed this text today at the event in D.C. https://twitter.com/katielmcinnis/status/1204050468651118598
People attending and who use Spotify had no idea.
It’s time for better transparency, choice and control. #Spotify
#privacy4all #privacy #GDPR @TACD_Consumers @boell_eu https://twitter.com/WolfieChristl/status/1205218851090247688
People attending and who use Spotify had no idea.
It’s time for better transparency, choice and control. #Spotify
#privacy4all #privacy #GDPR @TACD_Consumers @boell_eu https://twitter.com/WolfieChristl/status/1205218851090247688
Wolfie's quote is from Spotify For Brands https://www.spotifyforbrands.com/en-US/audiences/
"We’ve found that how people stream actually tells us a lot about who they are. Our data team has identified five key streaming habits that can help you understand your audience, & better inform your planning"
"We’ve found that how people stream actually tells us a lot about who they are. Our data team has identified five key streaming habits that can help you understand your audience, & better inform your planning"
"The most exciting part? This new research is starting to reveal the streaming generation’s OFFLINE BEHAVIOURS through their streaming habits." [MY EMPHASIS]
YOUR streaming data reveals your OFFLINE behaviours. Don't forget, Spotify obtains data about YOU from 3RD parties. But
!["The most exciting part? This new research is starting to reveal the streaming generation’s OFFLINE BEHAVIOURS through their streaming habits." [MY EMPHASIS]YOUR streaming data reveals your OFFLINE behaviours. Don't forget, Spotify obtains data about YOU from 3RD parties. But](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ELoNksTXUAEriYR.jpg "\"The most exciting part? This new research is starting to reveal the streaming generation’s OFFLINE BEHAVIOURS through their streaming habits.\" [MY EMPHASIS]YOUR streaming data reveals your OFFLINE behaviours. Don't forget, Spotify obtains data about YOU from 3RD parties. But")
YOUR streaming data reveals your OFFLINE behaviours. Don't forget, Spotify obtains data about YOU from 3RD parties. But
It is unclear precisely what personal data is obtained from what 3rd parties & the legal basis (consent or LI). Spotify publishes an Art 15 notice that is insufficient IMHO https://support.spotify.com/uk/account_payment_help/privacy/gdpr-article-15-information/ I note the Swedish DPA is querying Spotify on Art 15 matters
Here's the Swedish DPA enquiry that I only discovered a few days ago and which very much reflects my own challenges of unsuccessful attempts to obtain supplemental information from Spotify as per Art 15 of the GDPR. https://musically.com/2019/06/13/swedish-data-protection-spotify-gdpr-investigation/ and https://www.datainspektionen.se/globalassets/dokument/ovrigt/skrivelse-till-spotify.pdf
Back to Spotify for Brands.
"Moms on Spotify. Moms’ streaming habits tell us a lot about them."
"Moms on Spotify. Moms’ streaming habits tell us a lot about them."
"Spotify analyzed the distinctive streaming habits of Spotify listeners, identifying variations across demographics, platforms, dayparts, music tastes, and behavioral audience segments (sourced from internal first-party data"
"To supplement this analysis, first- and third-party attributes were merged to understand how streaming habits are related to branding measures and purchase behaviors. "
Not only is there Spotify for Brands, but also the Spotify Ads Studio https://adstudio.spotify.com for real time interest and context based advertising
So what about some of those #Spotify privacy impacting default settings? Spotify desktop app (Mac OS) https://www.spotify.com/uk/download/mac When you install the app, Spotify sets a 'privacy' default to ON for cookie tracking, hidden in 'show advanced settings' (bottom of settings page)
In the desktop Mac app got to your profile. Select 'settings' scroll all the way to the bottom of the settings page. 
Click 'Show advanced settings' Privacy.
The Privacy setting has a slider button that is off & that = cookie tracking ON for the app installation
Click 'Show advanced settings' Privacy.The Privacy setting has a slider button that is off & that = cookie tracking ON for the app installation
The desktop app 'Privacy' setting is hidden in 'show advanced settings' (& that individuals are not told about in any transparent way), states, "Block all cookies for this installation of the Spotify desktop app; read more details here [links to https://www.spotify.com/us/legal/privacy-policy/]." .. BUT
there's that message that may dissuade people from changing a default that supports Spotify Tracking: "Please note that enabling this setting may negatively impact your Spotify experience. Changes will be applied after restarting your app.” #SpotifyPrivacy
That 'privacy' default enables cookie tracking via a greyed out slider button. I wonder how many people might think as it's greyed out it's not on and so no tracking taking place? #SpotifyPrivacy
Slide the button to green to disable cookies. It's not clear what purpose this default setting serves. For example, the 'read more details here' takes you to the Spotify privacy policy that doesn't refer to desktop app but the Cookie policy does https://spotify.com/us/legal/cookies-policy/… BUT BUT
Under the heading 'Cookies on the Spotify Desktop Application' in the cookie policy says "You can withdraw your consent to our use of cookies on Spotify’s desktop application at any time." <erm? Consent? No transparent notice given and no opt-in sought or obtained - consent ?
And there's that dark pattern nudge again. "Please note that if you set the Spotify desktop application to block cookies, then your Spotify experience may be affected." 
Spotify doesn't explain in what way your experience may be affected. #SpotifyPrivacy
Spotify doesn't explain in what way your experience may be affected. #SpotifyPrivacy
That's not all. From within the desktop app profile click 'account' that will open a web browser. Or simply log-into your account via a browser. On the left, click the 'apps' option - a Spotify Advertising Cookie is automatically set to 'enable Spotify [tailored] ads'. Consent?
![That's not all. From within the desktop app profile click 'account' that will open a web browser. Or simply log-into your account via a browser. On the left, click the 'apps' option - a Spotify Advertising Cookie is automatically set to 'enable Spotify [tailored] ads'. Consent?](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ELojeFmWwAEXZHL.jpg "That's not all. From within the desktop app profile click 'account' that will open a web browser. Or simply log-into your account via a browser. On the left, click the 'apps' option - a Spotify Advertising Cookie is automatically set to 'enable Spotify [tailored] ads'. Consent?")
![That's not all. From within the desktop app profile click 'account' that will open a web browser. Or simply log-into your account via a browser. On the left, click the 'apps' option - a Spotify Advertising Cookie is automatically set to 'enable Spotify [tailored] ads'. Consent?](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ELojeFnXYAUt63J.jpg "That's not all. From within the desktop app profile click 'account' that will open a web browser. Or simply log-into your account via a browser. On the left, click the 'apps' option - a Spotify Advertising Cookie is automatically set to 'enable Spotify [tailored] ads'. Consent?")
Also, you may wish to visit 'account' 'privacy settings' and consider those Facebook and Tailored Ads defaults set to ON without notice or prior-choice ..... "your privacy ... will always be, enormously important to us .." but
"we want to give you the best possible experience to ensure that you enjoy our service today, tomorrow, and in the future. To do this we need to understand your listening habits so we can deliver an exceptional and personalized service specifically for you." However,
There's extreme ambiguity over what is considered & necessary to provide 'personalised service' and what is behavioural advertising or technical functionality ... #SpotifyPrivacy
More to follow. Including Netflix and Amazon.
