Apple Criticized for Watermarking Music Files

The Electronic Frontier Foundation is criticizing Apple over its practice of encrypting user data into purchased tracks from its iTunes music store, saying it poses a security risk to its users.

Information such as customer name and e-mail can be found within the files of an iPod, and the data can apparently be culled from a stolen iPod rather easily, the technology lobbying group said.

With iTunes Plus now offering songs in unprotected format, it may pose an even greater list. The EFF admits that the data included is not as sensitive as including credit card data and the like, however some users may see it as a privacy issue.

Apple's reasons for the practice of including identifiable information in music files is not exactly known, as it has never given a reason for it. It may be out of an attempt to track files to a source if they end up being pirated.

Opinions on the practice vary, although some defend it as being better than DRM. Watermarking is less restrictive and does not automatically assume that a consumer will pirate the material, but a method of tracking is there if they do.

"Bottom line: DRM-free doesn't mean that Apple suddenly supports piracy," Erica Sadun wrote for The Unofficial Apple Weblog last week.