Ping privacy fail. Part two.

One of our blogers posted their concern about Apple's new Ping service. Having experimented with Ping and reviewed the associated iTunes Terms of Service, I share this concern.

If you are a parent, do not let your child use Ping.

One of the reasons Apple has proclaimed how quickly that millions have signed up for Ping, in just two days, is because it is easy. Too easy, I think.

As a parent, there is a very good chance you've discussed issues of online privacy with your child. You may have even reviewed the iTunes Terms of Service when you let your children get their first iTunes account. Maybe.

When was the last time you read those legal terms? Fact is, Apple has just changed them. Now, when your son or daughter opens up their iTunes account, which until now you were fine with, they will be presented with a prominent PING logo. They can click on this. They are presented, not with terms and conditions, but with a binary choice.

Do you want people to follow, or not want people to follow?

Maybe your child will choose no. Maybe you read the updated legal terms each time Apple updates iTunes. Maybe each and every time you and/or your child go onto iTunes you will decide who can follow or be followed. However, if that doesn't happen, then your child has, very easily, with virtually no effort, no oversight needed, joined Ping. Below are the official Terms of Service regarding Ping which I have pulled from the new iTunes terms of service. They are on page 4 of the 13 page legal document. I have highlighted the first 3 sentences.

http://www.apple.com/legal/itunes/cafr/terms.html

If you opt in to Ping, you can share information with people who have also opted in to Ping, such as your name, your image, and your interests. The name and image provided will also be associated with all reviews posted about a Product via your Account, including posts prior to opting in. People whom you have permitted to follow you will be able to see your activity on iTunes, such as events you are attending, music that you have indicated that you like, and purchases made with your Account.

Your activity on another user's profile, such as comments you make about their activity, is subject to that user's privacy settings and can be viewed by all of that user's followers. You are solely responsible for the information that is associated with your Account that is made available on Ping. You should not opt in to Ping, or should opt out of Ping in your Account settings if you don't want others to view any information provided using your Account, including activity on iTunes. When you opt out, your information will be removed from view, and then deleted after seven days. Please take extra care when using these features. You will be able to remove items from your Recent Activity if you do not want them to be visible to other users. Apple may also use information provided to make personal recommendations to you, such as suggesting other users you may want to follow, concerts, or other Products you may want to purchase. By opting in to Ping, you consent to the use of the information associated with your Account, including information provided by you, in the manner described above. At all times your information will be treated in accordance with Apple's Privacy Policy.

You thought iTunes was great. Your 14-year-old daughter and 15-year-old son do chores and get good grades and in exchange, you let them buy music from iTunes. Just like buying a CD at Best Buy!

Were you aware of what could be exposed now that iTunes incoporates Ping?