Spotify sparks controversy over changes to its privacy policy

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There's a social media storm brewing over Spotify's forthcoming changes to the data it collects from users' smartphones and other devices.

If you've been enjoying Spotify's new Running feature, which matches the BPM of the music you are listening to with your pace, or the Discover Weekly playlist tailored to your musical taste, then the music streaming service has more improvements in store for you.

But there's a catch: the company is updating its terms and conditions and privacy policy to allow it to gather more personal data from your smartphone or tablet, such as pictures, phone numbers, sensor data and social media activity.

This might have gone unnoticed if Minecraft creator Markus Persson, aka Notch, hadn't told his 2.4 million followers on Twitter that he had cancelled his account because of the changes. Persson then had an angry exchange online with Spotify founder Danel Ek.

Andy Clough
Andy Clough

Andy is Global Brand Director of What Hi-Fi? and has been a technology journalist for 30 years. During that time he has covered everything from VHS and Betamax, MiniDisc and DCC to CDi, Laserdisc and 3D TV, and any number of other formats that have come and gone. He loves nothing better than a good old format war. Andy edited several hi-fi and home cinema magazines before relaunching whathifi.com in 2008 and helping turn it into the global success it is today. When not listening to music or watching TV, he spends far too much of his time reading about cars he can't afford to buy.