Recent changes to Audacity's privacy policy have led some users to call the audio editing software spyware. The open-source software collects user data for “app analytics” to “improve the application” as well as “for data disclosure requests to authorities”.
The privacy policy was updated on July 2, following the acquisition of Audacity by the Muse Group in April. Muse Group also has the Ultimate app Guitar and MuseScore. The new policy states that Muse Group collects details of users' operating system version, processor, country based on IP address, reports and error codes. According to the policy, the processing of this data is for the “legitimate interest” of the company “to offer and ensure the proper functioning of the application.”
However, the data it collects on "data disclosure requests from the authorities" is more vague. According to the policy, the Muse Group will collect "data necessary for law enforcement authorities (if any)." It may disclose personal data to "any law enforcement agency, regulator, government agency, court or other third party where we believe disclosure is necessary".
Users' personal data is stored on servers in the European Economic Area (EEA), but this does not make sense, as anyone can obtain it. However, Muse Group states that “we are occasionally required to share your personal data with our head office in Russia and our external consultant in USA".
The policy states that users' IP addresses are "stored in an identifiable manner" for one day before being encrypted. This leaves users open to recognition by the authorities.
Several other points in the privacy policy have raised many questions from the public, such as the ban on the use of Audacity by people under the age of 13. This, of course, violates the license under which Audacity is distributed. The General License prohibits restrictions on use software.
Of course Audacity users who value the privacy of teenagers who play with sound are waiting some fork, a new version of the source-based application. It would not be surprising to see the community create a clone of Audacity in this direction.
Too bad I was getting ready to start a revolution with audacity. now what are we doing;