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Why I'm selling my iPhone and I will never, ever download a song from itunes again

DoNoHarm

DoNoHarm

macrumors 65816
Original poster
Oct 8, 2008
1,138
46
Maine
So I downloaded an album today to workout to. I happily put it on my iphone and hit the gym. My workout buddy told me that the music I was listening to literally had my name on it since I downloaded it from the itunes store. I thought he was joking but low and behold, I come home to find this article:

http://www.androidcentral.com/another-reason-amazon-mp3-store

I confirmed that all the song I downloaded has my name written in the file!!! I cannot believe that Apple stamps my name on the songs I download from itunes. Apparently it's not in the contract, too.

I don't know what to do next. I've tried the Nexus One and I'm not really happy with the quality of the hardware. I came back to the iphone after the nexus one, in fact. As soon as they come out with a phone that runs Android in a more stable way, I'm switching out of the walled garden. I may even try the Nexus one again.
 
And the problem is? No one is going to see that unless you're doing something you're not supposed to (sharing it).
 
I don't distribute the stuff I buy, so it doesn't really matter to me. Probably won't bother many other law-abiding people either.
 
Every song in iTunes is now DRM free, unlike a few years ago when they were DRM-laden. If it takes my name being within the files that i have no intention of sharing, then so be it.

Not a big deal..
 
If it bothers you that much burn it to disc then back to your pc and the id should be gone.

That said why the hell would it bother you if your not doing anything dodgy.
 
DoNoHarm said:
Apparently it's not in the contract, too.
Click to expand...

I don't believe that Apple has to put it in the contract. It's no secret and is clearly visible in iTunes by doing a Get Info on the file. This has been happening since 2003.

For DRM-protected content, the registered account details need to be present in the file for authorisation purposes.
 
I just checked mine out and it's got my SSN and my eye color in the file too :eek: Welp, so much for freeing all of the enslaving masses and curing sickness and disease by spreading my iTunes files for free. DANG IT and I was so close too..... :eek:
 
DoNoHarm said:
So I downloaded an album today to workout to. I happily put it on my iphone and hit the gym. My workout buddy told me that the music I was listening to literally had my name on it since I downloaded it from the itunes store. I thought he was joking but low and behold, I come home to find this article:

http://www.androidcentral.com/another-reason-amazon-mp3-store

I confirmed that all the song I downloaded has my name written in the file!!! I cannot believe that Apple stamps my name on the songs I download from itunes. Apparently it's not in the contract, too.

I don't know what to do next. I've tried the Nexus One and I'm not really happy with the quality of the hardware. I came back to the iphone after the nexus one, in fact. As soon as they come out with a phone that runs Android in a more stable way, I'm switching out of the walled garden. I may even try the Nexus one again.
Click to expand...

Why not just burn the album to disk then? Wouldnt that help
 
What exactly are your fears regarding your name being tied to a file? The only reason I could think is that you would share it illegally and they could track you down.

If someone stole your phone they would already have more of your personal information than they would if they just came across your name in a music file. Same if they stole your computer. What's exactly the big deal of an identifier on a music file?
 
i don't like it for the same reason I don't have my name on every thing I own. I should be able to choose. I don't illegally distribute files, but I value my privacy at the same time. What if someone hacked into my computer and stole my files, then music files with my name on them would be all over the internet. I'm just saying that all else being equal, I'm not going to go buy music files that have my name digitally embedded on them. They're trying to control the use of the music and they're doing it at the expense of my privacy.

BTW, to all those saying stuff like "thanks for letting us know", why are you even on this forum? I think the fact that your name is stamped on every song you buy from Apple's iTunes store is something very relevant that a lot of people should care about. If you're not interested, nobody is forcing you to read this post.
 
Here's another thing you wont like. Not only is your name in there, but it looks like your iTunes account name is there also. I just check via HexEdit, and low-and-behold it said <me>@mac.com.

It shouldn't be surprising. If you do a "get info" in iTunes on a downloaded file, and check the summery tab, it shows you purchased by and account name. I looks like it also does the same to iPhone apps.

Oh well, don't share if you don't want that info out.

HTH
 
You must have some pretty embarrassing music if you're afraid of your privacy leaking out through your name. Relax, it's the 21st century. :rolleyes:
 
Wirelessly posted (Opera/9.80 (J2ME/MIDP; Opera Mini/5.0.18302/1114; U; en) Presto/2.4.15)

is there no easy way to strip this info from iTunes purchased files?

Burning to CD the really ripping isn't the best idea as ripping lossy encoded music to another lossy file will do nothing but worsen the sound quality.
 
OMG That happened to me! I downloaded a Beatles album and one of the songs had my name on it too! I think I'll throw a hissy fit and chuck my iphone in the river in protest. I hate the idea that someone might hack into my computer and steal my downloaded music and then give it away for free, and I might get told off for it! Maybe we should both change our names instead and keep our phones!

Miss P. Layne.
 
scottness said:
That would be the least of my worries if someone hacked into my computer. :rolleyes:
Click to expand...
I know, right? I'd be much more worried about the world finding my collection of Power Rangers episodes. What would my friends think if they knew?
penny layne said:
OMG That happened to me! I downloaded a Beatles album and one of the songs had my name on it too! I think I'll throw a hissy fit and chuck my iphone in the river in protest. I hate the idea that someone might hack into my computer and steal my downloaded music and then give it away for free, and I might get told off for it! Maybe we should both change our names instead and keep our phones!
Click to expand...
Wow. Can we sterilize you both just to make sure you don't breed? Either separately or together?
 
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