Audacity issues statement to clarify its privacy policy amidst worries of data collection practices
“We do not and will not sell ANY data we collect or share it with 3rd parties. Full stop.”
Image: Muse Group
Audacity has issued a statement it hopes will clarify its recently updated privacy policy, and set its users minds at ease regarding the software’s data collection practices.
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Changes were made to Audacity’s privacy policy on 2 July, prompting some to label the open-source DAW as “spyware” in discussions on Reddit and Github. Audacity drew sharp criticism when it stated that user data could possibly be shared with its office in Russia, its external counsel in the USA and possibly a “potential buyer”.
The cause for concern was not lost on Audacity’s developers, who pinned the blame on the “unclear phrasing” of its privacy policy in a statement shared yesterday (5 July). They further added they are now “in the process of rectifying” it.
“We do not and will not sell ANY data we collect or share it with 3rd parties. Full stop,” Audacity’s developers wrote.
The statement and FAQ further expounded on Audacity’s data collection practices, which is said to collect a “very limited” amount of data. That is said to include: a user’s IP address, which will be “pseudonymised” and “irretrievable” after 24 hours; basic system information such as OS version and CPU type, and error report data, sent manually by users.
“We will not collect or provide any information other than data described above with any government entity or law enforcement agency,” it continued. “Data is not shared upon an agency request; we will do so only if compelled by a court of law in a jurisdiction that we serve.”
Read the full statement and FAQ, here.
According to CDM – which queried Audacity owner Muse Group – the changes to the open-source DAW’s privacy policy also won’t get introduced until version 3.03; the current downloadable build is 3.02.
