Apple outrages users by automatically installing U2 album on their devices whether they asked for it or not

Since the launch of the iTunes Store in 2003, U2 has been a strong, musical ambassador for Apple.

So what better way to celebrate the launch of the Irish band’s latest album, than by giving it to every iTunes Store customer in 119 countries around the world?

Unfortunately for Apple and U2, many of these customers are not happy the Songs Of Innocence album has been forced upon them – and have taken to Twitter and Facebook to voice their outrage.

And Apple reportedly paid the band $100 million as part of the deal.

The New York Times claimed: 'To release U2’s album free, Apple paid the band and Universal an unspecified fee as a blanket royalty and committed to a marketing campaign for the band worth up to $100 million, according to several people briefed on the deal.' 

 

The majority of users complained the album was added without their permission, while others simply don’t like U2.

Twitter user @@HayleyMuir said: '#Apple outrage; notified earlier I've no storage for pics, to discover I've attained a U2 album I DON'T WANT & can't delete #p*****d OFF!!!!'

While @HTFCMac tweeted: 'If iTunes even thinks of putting U2 on my computer I may go into full on #OUTRAGE', which was seconded by @Roxiestargazer, who said: 'All these U2 songs appearing on my phone? This is an outrage.'

A number of users also referenced the wider security implications.

‏User @MezMerrett tweeted: ‘If Apple can forcefully download a U2 album onto everyone's phone, imagine what else they can do and see.’

And @MattRichardson3 added: ‘Everyone's scared of MI6 and GCHQ accessing our phones, but I'd rather that than be forcibly given a U2 album.’

Even TV presenter Graham Norton was put out by the album appearing on his device: ‘Sorry to sound like Grandad but the new U2 album just showing up in my iTunes by magic is freaking me out!’

There were also joke tweets being posted, such as journalist and coder Owen Williams who tweeted Apple’s chief executive Tim Cook, asking how to uninstall ‘a virus called U2’ on his phone.

User @uvray_ added: ‘WARNING: DO NOT click on links offering free downloads of the new U2 album. They lead to free downloads of the new U2 album.’

The album was distributed to iTunes users via iCloud, which means it appears in the Music app on devices, but isn’t physically stored on the computer, phone or tablet until it has been downloaded.

If it has been downloaded, users can swipe to the left on each song and click Delete.

To hide the album from iTunes, users must log into their account, find the album and click the cross in the top left-hand corner of the cover image.

The album may also appear if the phone has the auto-download feature enabled.

To turn this off, go to Settings, iTunes & App Store, then disable Automatic Downloads.

U2 also performed at Apple’s iPhone 6 event on Tuesday.