Privatunes Anonymizes iTunes Plus

njondet writes "French-law.net reports that Ratatium.com, a French website specialized in technology news and software downloads, has just launched Privatunes, a free software that anonymizes DRM-free files bought on iTunes Plus. Last month's revelations that the DRM-free files sold by EMI on iTunes Plus came with user's full name and account e-mail embedded in them had raised serious privacy concerns. Ratatium.com explains (in French) that Privatunes is aimed at guaranteeing the privacy of users but also their rights as consumers to freely share and trade the songs they have purchased. However, the claim that this software is perfectly legal will surely be tested."

Re:Unbelievable.

[niceone]

They'll also be able to figure out my Slashdot handle, because the damn thing has "Satanic Puppy" engraved on the back.

I have avoided that problem by engraving "Anonymous Coward" on mine.

I want a tool for EMBEDDING my identity into files

[dpbsmith]

...so that when the jackbooted RIAA thugs break down my door at 3 a.m. in the morning I can point to the embedded ID as proof of ownership.

Re:Unbelievable.

[morgan_greywolf]

I have avoided that problem by engraving "Anonymous Coward" on mine.

That's weird. I engraved 'niceone (992278)' on mine.

Re:A little self-important and misguided...

[Jesus_666]

"Some of the privacy problems, in light of this, is that anyone who steals an iPod that includes purchased iTunes music will now have the name and e-mail address of its rightful owner."

..............

Wow. Just, wow. I don't even know how to respond to that.

You don't see the problem? Okay, let's think through a little scenario here.

Someone steals your iPod. Because of the owner tags, they now have your e-mail address and name. Using Google and Google Maps, they locate your home and plan on breaking in. However, since your last name is Schroeder, which sounds German, they will assume that as a German you are automatically dangerous, so they'll get some guns to shoot back in case you charge at them with a rifle. Now, there's the issue of the German Shepherd - it doesn't have the name for no reason; the assumption that an armed and dangerous German has an equally dangerous guard dog as well is not far-fetched. So they need some fast guns to keep the fast-moving combat-trained canine in check. However, in order to pay for the MAC-10s the gangsters have to indebt themselves to the local mob, which means that now they're desperate. It is worth it, of course, since someone like you who can afford to express his taste with an iPod will obviously have a home full of high-quality A/V equipment and various expensive pieces of art. On the other hand, someone with possessions as prized as yours will invest in state-of-the-art security, possibly including armed and trained security personnel. As some puny machine pistols won't help them in this case and it was you who started this arms race when you gave those overzealous rent-a-cops guns and let them play cowboy on your property it's time to bring out the big guns just to pay you a lesson. So they also go to the Russian mob and acquire some Soviet-era RPG-29s, AK-47s and a T-72 main battle tank, hoping they can breach your defenses before you get to launch that V2 your father hid in the back yard in the 1940s. Just in case, they will also try to bring a General Electric M134 Minigun.

What started as a simple iPod theft has escalated into a full-scale war just because Apple had to tag your music with your name and you think everything's handy-dandy? I wouldn't want to live in your neighbourhood - the smoking, charred remains of it.


Escalation: It's not just for privileges.