I am to say the least appalled by the bandcamp fan account.

Firstly, as I already have an account, I see no reason why I have to waste my time registering again. I should have been able to access music purchased using my existing account.

But what appals me, is the abuse of privacy, when I do register.

Is this quote some sort of sick joke, as that is the impression I am getting?

Bandcamp, Inc. (“Bandcamp”) knows that you care about how your personal information is used and shared, and we take your privacy seriously.

I have no problem when buying music, that my details are passed to the artists, indeed it is excellent that they do get this data, as it indicates to them who is interested in their music, they can keep informed of new releases, etc etc.

What I object to in the strongest possible terms, is my details being passed to third parties. This is the abuse I expect from facebook or spotify, not bandcamp.

The first e-mail I receive, lists six other fans what they may like, the music they buy.

This is of absolutely no interest to me, indeed it is none of my business, what people I do not know may or may not like.

But the implication of this is, what I may like, may buy, is being passed without my permission to person or persons unknown.

I was presented with no option to opt out of this, which should be the default, In other words opt in to abuse, not opt out. But right now, do I even have the option to opt out.

If I wish to pass to people what I like or do not like, that will be my choice, not that of bandcamp.

I have to date, encouraged people to use bandcamp, but with this extremely serious abuse of personal data, I will have to think again.

Keith Parkins

PS Not having a copy of his e-mail address to hand, a copy of this e-mail is to be passed to Ethan Diamond, with confirmation this has been done.

I have had installed Android bandcamp app for some time, but never used, as could not see a use.

Bandcamp app can be used to live stream purchases, but as can listen to albums on-line, does not appear to offer anything.

To be able to live stream, have to register and log in. A somewhat pointless exercice being forced to register as a fan, when already registered.

Once registered, see in bandcamp app, music purchased, can play, if scroll down see other music from same artist which can play.

In other words begs the question: what is being offered that is not already available?

Not only that, for any purchase, will already have audio files, which can play any time, without being on-line, without consuming data.

The only advantage, would appear to be, can download past purchases any time. Which can probably do anyway.

But a very bad downside.

If fan register, appalling abuse of personal data and privacy.

Receive a welcome e-mail, which gives details of six other people and what they have bought. The implication being, the same has been done with my personal data.

Explore the collections of these fans whose tastes are similar to yours, and consider following them.

Do I care what other people like? No.

Do I wish my likes, buying habits, to be communicated to unknown third parties? Absolutely no way.

I expect this abuse of personal data by facebook or spotify. I expect better from bandcamp.

This seems to have been very ill thought through by bandcamp and they need to think again.

See below open letter to bandcamp.

On Sunday, twenty-six years after publication, The Alchemist marked three hundred and thirty-five continuous weeks the in New York Times best-seller list.

Adultery, shot to No 1 on publication in Germany. It is back at No 1.

It is only rubbish that has to be hyped, it would not sell otherwise.