Shazam Informing Users About Apple Acquisition, Account Data Now Aligned With Apple's Privacy Policy - MacRumorsOpen MenuShow RoundupsShow Forums menuVisit ForumsOpen Sidebar
Skip to Content

Shazam Informing Users About Apple Acquisition, Account Data Now Aligned With Apple's Privacy Policy

by

small shazam transferNearly one year after Apple announced its acquisition of music recognition service Shazam, and one month since the acquisition was completed, Shazam has now begun informing users of Apple's plans with their data (via iGeneration). You can see the new splash screen if you have a Shazam account and open up the app.

If you've created a Shazam account in the past, which allows you to share Shazams between devices, this data will now move to Apple and fall under the protection of Apple's Privacy Policy. This has been expected since Apple completed the acquisition, but now we're one step closer to Apple's overhaul of Shazam, which will remove all ads from the app.

Shazam explains that if you don't want your data to be automatically transferred, you can delete your Shazam account within the app. This will erase all personal data associated with Shazam, including your email address and connected Facebook account. Shazams will remain in the app but they will no longer sync between devices and they will be gone if you delete and reinstall Shazam.

The company points out that analytics logs and how you used Shazam won't be erased even if you delete your account, but the logs will no longer be personally identifiable at that time. If you never created a Shazam account and continue to use Shazam under Apple's ownership, any Shazams recorded will not be associated with you.

At the time of the acquisition announcement, Apple said that it was "thrilled" for the Shazam team to be joining Apple. Down the line, the company hinted that users can expect more integration with Apple Music and Shazam: "Apple Music and Shazam are a natural fit, sharing a passion for music discovery and delivering great music experiences to our users. We have exciting plans in store, and we look forward to combining with Shazam upon approval of today's agreement."

Top Rated Comments

Justanotherfanboy Avatar
103 months ago
Apple bought Shazam to collect user data. Opposite of respecting privacy. I don't want Apple to know what I listen to.
Lol, you may have to change your username w/ too many more posts like that! ;0)
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
103 months ago
So, how long will it be before we get “always on Shazam” in Siri?
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
103 months ago
Apple bought Shazam to collect user data. Opposite of respecting privacy. I don't want Apple to know what I listen to.
Meh, I’d rather Apple have access to my info than Shazam selling it off for monetary gain. Apple’s respect for user privacy is more in line with the consumer in mind than 3rd parties and at the very least this will assist in beefing up Apple Music and Siri so I’m for it.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
103 months ago
Apple bought Shazam to collect user data. Opposite of respecting privacy. I don't want Apple to know what I listen to.
Alright delete it then.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
dannys1 Avatar
103 months ago
The lyrics were not even playing anymore either.
Lyrics have nothing to do with finger printing a track for ID.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
103 months ago
Apple bought Shazam to collect user data. Opposite of respecting privacy. I don't want Apple to know what I listen to.
Then you better listen on a different device.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

series6leds

Apple Acquires Startup Working on 'Breakthrough Sensing Technology'

Tuesday September 8, 2026 7:15 am PDT by
Earlier this year, Apple acquired California-based startup Sonera, according to a notice published today on the European Commission's website. Sonera previously announced that it had developed "breakthrough sensing technology" that "non-invasively measures magnetic fields" generated by the brain and body. The company said its technology can analyze neural data without direct skin contact,...
iOS 27 Next to iPhone

Here's When iOS 27 Rolls Out Today in Every Time Zone [Update: It's Out]

Sunday September 13, 2026 3:00 am PDT by
Update 10:04 a.m.: iOS 27 is rolling out now, though it may take a bit for all users to see it, so keep checking! Apple is about to release iOS 27, which will finally deliver more advanced Siri AI capabilities as well as a variety of other refinements, improvements, and new features to iPhones. It's Apple's biggest software update of the year, and Apple announced at Wednesday's iPhone event...
iOS 27 Icon iPhone

iOS 27 Available Now With These 8 New Features

Monday September 14, 2026 9:00 am PDT by
Update — 10 a.m. Pacific Time: Apple has released iOS 27. During its iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone Duo event last week, Apple announced that iOS 27 will be released widely on Monday, September 14. iOS 27 should be available around 10 a.m. Pacific Time / 1 p.m. Eastern Time today via the Settings app, under General → Software Update. Below, we have highlighted eight new features and...