Samsung responds to ‘baseless’ criticism of Jay Z app

Mobile phone giant reported to the FTC over privacy concerns

Samsung have responded after concerns were raised regarding the privacy of customers using Jay-Z‘s Samsung app.

Worries about the privacy of over half a million users who had downloaded the app were raised earlier this year ahead of the release of the rapper’s new album ‘Magna Carta Holy Grail’. The app was created as part of a $5million (£3.28million) deal the rapper has signed with Samsung where the communications company bought one million copies of the album to give to its users in advance of the official release date.

However, some fans complained about the terms and conditions they were expected to sign to get the app, including the disclosure of location details and Samsung’s access to their mobile phone. Responding to the criticisms and the fact they have been reported to the FTC (Federal Trade Commission) earlier today (July 19) Samsung issued a statement which reads:

Advertisement

“We are aware of the complaint filed with the FTC and believe it is baseless. Samsung takes customer privacy and the protection of personal information very seriously. Any information obtained through the application download process was purely for customer verification purposes, app functionality purposes and for marketing communications, but only if the customer requests to receive those marketing communications. Our permissions are in line with other apps’ standard permissions. Samsung is in no way inappropriately using or selling any information obtained from users through the download process.”

‘Magna Carta Holy Grail’ went straight to Number One on the UK upon its release and features guest spots from Rick Ross, Frank Ocean, Beyoncé and Justin Timberlake. As revealed last week, Jay-Z’s new album will use lyrics taken from REM‘s ‘Losing My Religion’ and ‘Smells Like Teen Spirit’ by Nirvana.

You May Also Like

Advertisement

TRENDING

Advertisement

More Stories