Removing invasive email notifications of playlist updates

[tranceswe]

Hello guys!

First of all, I'd like to add that Spotify is one of the most appreciated programmes on my computer, and that I use it regularily, as such I like sharing my playlists with my friends. This however doesn't mean that I like that my friends and spotify contacts get emails as soon as I update one of my playlists. Nu-uh, that's where I draw my line, I don't want my friends to know when and what quite simply.

How do I remove this rather invasive and unwanted procedure?

Kind regards

-trance

[David]

This has been said in other threads before, but users can manage the email notifications they receive over on the Edit Profile page.

However, there's currently no option to choose if the actions you take would notify your friends or not. This system is automated, and some users like being informed of these actions via email. Although we'll certainly take your feedback on board. 

[racheetah]

This comments is not helpful and does not address the issue raised in this thread. We are not worried about the email notifications Spotify sends us (which is what "edit profile page" permits users to control). The issue is that Spotify sends emails to Facebook friends - many of whom are not even on Spotify - notifying them of various user updates. Users have NO WAY to control or limit these emails, and they are very violative of user privacy. The only solution I've seen - to unpublish playlists - is not acceptable. Publishing playlists is a key feature of Spotify, and I shouldn't be forced to sacrifice this function (when I'm paying $10/month) to protect my privacy and protect my friends from spam.

[racheetah]

And my friends DO NOT like being spammed, as your comment suggests. Many friends have forwarded me Spotify emails in annoyance, asking me to turn off the feature. 

[hettoo]

^This. But the points you are making have also been made by other participants of this thread.

"Although we'll certainly take your feedback on board."

The first message in this thread was posted over 5 months ago. My contact tickets have been ignored as well. It's obvious that this isn't going to happen.

By sending emails to your Facebook contacts, they are sending emails to potential new users, which are potential new customers. Of course Spotify is not going to put your privacy above their money.

[1cipher]

@David It doesn't even seem to register with you. Why do you think you provide those four other options? It's because privacy and email notifications are important to people. Not only was your answer ridiculously silly and naive but you seem to lack the proper ability to understand what it means for one to be in control of ones own, personal, data.

"This system is automated, and some users like being informed of these actions via email."

That is ridiculous. Surely your "automated" system looks at the same flags you mention before sending emails. Further more the entire reason that I can control visibility of my posts on facebook is because I would like to control who sees what I watch, read, listen to, do etc. 

You're certainly not fooling anyone with the true intent of this "feature." It's true intent is clear: viral marketing. And to that end facebook has established policies and in fact its so crucial to them and their policies that they say it in as one of the first things. I believe this to in clear violation.

From the facebook developer policies site: https://developers.facebook.com/policy/

Be trustworthy

• Respect privacy
• Don't mislead, confuse, defraud, or surprise users
• Don't spam - encourage authentic communications

 The whole reason for this campaign is to avoid authentic communications. (That is communications because I choose to communicate it.) You undermine my ability to notify my friends of songs or features of spotify that I actually would share.

This problem should be fixed, immediately. 

For those interested a new update to the xbox music service was released. Since I have already upgraded to windows 8 I see no reason not to use it. Especially because spotify does not seem to understand (or care about) my concerns.

Thanks (for nothing)

[1cipher]

I should note that taking these complaints to spotify is one thing. Taking these complaints to facebook is, on the other hand, much more serious. Facebook does not want this type of communication from their apps. If spotify is concerned about their revenue its a drop in the bucket compared to being banned from facebook until they can solve this problem...

I suggest everyone in this thread who care to take their complaint up with facebook.

[hettoo]

Awesome thread.

BTW, why is this posted in "Windows"? Someone move it to some more generic place please.

[pavy]

All,

There's another, similar thread here: http://community.spotify.com/t5/Accounts-Subscriptions-and-Music/Unwanted-email/td-p/46737

@1cipher

Perhaps we should contact Facebook then? We could great a group/page on FB to get more attention. Honestly, though, I wouldn't be surprised if Facebook didn't care. This issue does seem to be in violation of there TOS, however.

[1cipher]

Today spotify just asked me for approval to update my TOS aggreement. I can't say that I don't find the timing of this whole thing slightly suspsect. After reading the agreement (which i've never done until now) i see some interesting sections which i've highlighed below. As i've never read it i have no idea how long the following has been there for, though i like to believe that this thread has some affect/input... Also note: I am not a lawyer and as such this is my own interpretation.

Spotify Terms and Conditions of Use

Effective as from 17 October 2012

...

7. Consideration

In consideration for the rights granted to you under these Terms, you grant us the right (a) to allow the Spotify Service to use the processor, bandwidth and storage hardware on your Device in order to facilitate the operation of the Service, (b) to provide advertising and other information to you, if you subscribe to the Free Service, and (c) to allow our business partners to do the same.

You grant Spotify a non-exclusive, transferable, sub-licensable, royalty-free, perpetual, worldwide licence to use, reproduce, make available to the public, publish, translate and distribute any User Content that you post on or otherwise provide through the Spotify Service.

These Terms are not intended to grant rights to anyone except you and Spotify, and in no event shall these Terms create any third party beneficiary rights. Any failure by Spotify to enforce these Terms or any provision thereof shall not waive Spotify’s right to do so.

8. User Guidelines

We’ve established a few ground rules for you to follow when using the Service, to make sure Spotify stays enjoyable for everyone. Please follow these rules and encourage other users to do the same.

 ...

Please be thoughtful about what you make public on Spotify. The Spotify Service includes social and interactive features, including the ability to post User Content, share content, and make certain information about you public, as further described in your account settings. Remember that shared or publicly available information may be used and re-shared by other users on Spotify or across the web, so please use Spotify carefully and manage your account settings regularly. Spotify has no responsibility for your choices to make any actions or material public on the Service.

Spotify Privacy Policy

Effective as from 17 October 2012

...

3. How we use the information we collect

We may use the information we collect, including your personal information, to: (i) provide, personalise, and improve your experience with the Service and products and services made available through the Service, for example by providing customised or localised content and advertising; (ii) ensure technical functioning of the Service and products and services made available through the Service, develop new products and services, and analyse your use of the Service, including your interaction with applications, advertising, products and services that are made available, linked to or offered in the Service; (iii) communicate with you for Service-related purposes, including promotional e-mails or messages; (iv) enable and promote the Service, including features and content of the Service and products and services made available through the Service, such as sharing, user interactions, notifications and suggestions, and integration with third party services; (v) enforce this Privacy Policy, the Terms and Conditions of Use, and the Mobile Terms, including to protect the rights, property or safety of Spotify, users or any other person and the copyright-protected content of the Service; and (vi) as otherwise stated in this Privacy Policy.

 ...

5. Your preferences

Through your settings, you can choose which communications you receive from us, manage your public profile information, and set your sharing preferences. However, please note that it may not be possible to make certain information private on the Service, including your name and/or username and profile picture. Such information and other information which are set to “public” in your settings, such as playlists, may be used, re-shared or linked to by others on the Service or others across the web, so please use Spotify carefully and manage your account settings regularly. Remember that if you make profile content private, others who already subscribe to or otherwise have the details of such content will still have access to it. Also keep in mind that playlists and other content added to your profile may include personal information, such as username, which could enable other persons to find you in the Spotify Service or other services.

No where in the privacy policy does it say that it will use my friends data to notify them of my changes. it says it will collect my friends data, but at no time is it discussed how that data will be used. Notifying my friends of my actions does not seem to be allowed under their own privacy policy...

Anyways what do i care. i'm no longer interested in using spotify.

Thanks

[jordanplotnek]

Did you end up creating this group? Otherwise, how did you report Spotify to Facebook? I'm trying to do it now with a bunch of others too.

[MikeLeeToris]

Exactly what i have come here to say, but i can see how it's no use saying it anyway. For now i just un-published all my playlists.

[speakeasylisten]

Dear Spotify,

Please help me to understand why I am getting so many email notifications of peoples suggested playlists.  I have changed all of my settings to "NEVER", yet I still get emails.

Username:  SpeakeasyListener

Email: [Edit - Email address - Snip]

If I have a duplicate account, please remove the duplicate.

Thanks!

[Sam]

Speakeasylisten - You shouldn't receive anymore, if you do, please write back.

[vhighland]

I have the same problem, and I have checked "never" for all the notification settings. These emails are very embarassing and I need for them to stop! I have had it, and will stop my premium service if it happens again. This is BS.

[bengstewart]

Be interested to hear some recommendations of other music services that don't randomly email my friends.

The inability to disable these emails is definititely enough reason for me to change services.

Thanks,

Ben

[Richard80]

Same here, will probably stop my premium account. Horrific thought that some software is sending out emails on my behalf wihtout me knowing that and having friends complaining about that (and yes they do). As usual you cannot do anything when your privacy is violated. Especially hard to accept when you pay 10 euro each month. Anyone has good suggestions for an alternative to Spotify? I like the idea of sharing playlist, but why Spotify thinks that would like to EMAIL any small update to all my friends is ridiculous. 

[yasminek]

C'mon guys, good UX follows the golden rule.

Don't act like you have user studies that prove that this disrespectful treatment of your users is actually welcomed by a viable population. Give us a break. Treat your users with respect. In the end, someone else will give them a less invasive experience and they will leave Spotify behind. 

[kimoni]

Is anything being done about this? I learnt to my shock today after dinner with my parents and sister that they have been receiving updates on my activity on Spotify. I had absolutely no idea that this was happening, but it's clearly been going on for months. I'm getting so annoyed with this ridiculous drive to 'socialize' everything. I use spotify to listen to MUSIC and I really couldn't give a monkey's what my ex colleagues and hundreds of facebook pseudo-friends are listening to, most people I know have the most godawful music taste anyway. Seriously. I'm getting so tired of having to vet my online habits just because other people are likely to be watching.

I just want to listen to music. Please listen to your customers and do something about this.

[Karmamaka]

Was this feature removed? I remember getting these emails but no longer get them.... I hope they turned the email notifications off...