Muse Group has responded to claims that Audacity, once a trusted open-source audio recording app, is now spyware following changes to its privacy policy.
Does Audacity have spyware? Is it safe to use?
In April, Muse Group acquired Audacity, a free and open-source audio recording software. Earlier this week, an update to the application’s privacy policy led to claims that the software was now functioning as spyware for the company. Now, Muse Group has officially responded, according to MusicRadar, saying that the spyware claims are simply the result of “unclear wording.”
Updated on July 2, the privacy policy now states that the app collects personal data such as OS version, user country based on IP address, CPU info, non-fatal error codes, and messages. The updated policy also mentions “data necessary for law enforcement, litigation, and requests from authorities.”
In addition, the policy states that Muse Group may share any collected information with its employees, with law enforcement agencies, with the company's accountants, advisors or legal representatives, as well as with potential purchasers of the software.
