Apple Music
Summary
Apple Music is a subscription-based music streaming service offering millions of songs. You can listen offline if needed and can combine all your music in one place. You can listen to music, live radio, podcasts, and more. The service costs between $4.99 and $14.99 per month.
Breach History
Has there ever been a breach or data leak?
Date of last breach
August 2019
There has not been a privacy breach into Apple Music specifically, but Google security researchers claim that Apple iPhones and iPads had suffered from massive security breaches. Specifically, hackers placed monitoring implants in an untold number of devices. This implant was inserted when users visited unspecificed hack websites and supposedly had been active for two years. Be wary!
Privacy Checklist
Is any kind of biometric data collected (health, heart, voice, etc.)?
Are you able to delete your data / the data collected about you?
Does it use cookies, telemetry, or third-party tracking scripts?
Is the privacy policy user-friendly (easy to understand)?
Does it have parental controls?
Does it use encryption to protect your data both in-transit and at-rest?
Does it get regular software and / or firmware updates?
Does it require you to create a strong password?
Is there a system in place for managing security vulnerabilities?
Does it have a privacy policy?
How Can It Snoop?
Does it have a camera or request / require access to a camera?
Does it have a microphone or request / require access to a microphone?
Does it track your location or request / require access to location data?
Account Requirements
Does it require an email address to use?
Does it require a phone number to use?
Does it require an address (home or office) to use?
Payment Options
Are you able to use a credit card as a payment option?
Are you able to use a cryptocurrency as a payment option?
Are you able to use PayPal as a payment option?
Are you able to use cash or gift cards as a payment option?
What Could Go Wrong?
Apple does a good job with privacy and security. Therefore, there is not really many privacy or security risks. However, still be wary if you do not want your children to listen to mature-restricted music and content.
How Does It Share Your Data?
Apple does not share your data with third parties for commercial or marketing purposes. All of your Siri voice requests are anonymous and Apple auto-deletes them after 6 months.
Good Things
- Apple security and privacy process is strong and there is a system in palce to manage vulnerabilites and regular software/hardware updates.
- Does not share data with third parties for marketing or commercial purposes.
- Privacy information is fairly simple and easy-to-read.
Bad Things
- Apple has grown vastly, so hackers may try and get your information.
- Otherwise, Apple's security creates a situation where there are not many cons.
Final Thoughts
Of all the Big Tech companies, Apple appears to take user privacy most seriously. The Apple Mac has never been compromised by a breach, and although Apple does collect a significant amount of information on its users, this information is never shared with third parties. Always use products from Big Tech companies with caution, but Apple products should be safer than most others.