9 Things You Need To Know About Soundcloud

Remember the box you were required to check when you joined Soundcloud? Did you know you signed a law abiding contract regarding your content and information rights?  If you are like majority app users you probably checked the box and never thought twice about it.   Lucky for you, I spent my Saturday night reading through the terms of service and all the other exciting legal stuff. You can thank me later.

1.Who owns your content?

You do! As stated by Soundcloud’s ‘Your Content‘ portion of their terms & service agreement, you are the sole owner of your content.  But just because your profile content like your reposts, likes, and posts do you have sole ownership.  By agreeing to the terms of use, you are allowing for your personal and demographic information to be given/sold to third parties. If you’re like me, you may not want your personal information being handed out like Kandi bracelets at EDC. Fortunately, there are ways to protect your information.

2. Where does your content go after you close an account?

As long as a third party did not get their hands on it, your content is removed with your account.  If a third party did get their hands on it, you’re on your own. Soundcloud has no legal obligation to assist in having your content removed.

3. Your content is free to listeners and third parties.

This is true, you consent to a grant of license when you agree to the terms of use.  This means that you are allowing for your content to be viewed, shared, and posted free of charge.  Of course, you have the ability to editing the privacy of your posted sounds in your settings.

3. Wanna be a ghost listener?

If you are just here for the love of music and want to opt out of all the social stuff, you’re in luck! Simply go into the account tab in your settings and check the ‘Anonymous Listening’ box.

4. Don’t want to be used for app development research?

It’s more time consuming than becoming a ghost listener, but if you would like to keep your sounds from app developers you will need to disenable API access for each sound you upload.

Click on the pencil icon in the waveform player, and uncheck the “Apps enabled” box at the bottom of the page. Please note that your public profile information will still be accessible, but this does not include anything that is not publicly available on the Website.

5. Why does every advertisement relate to me?

It’s simple, companies like Soundcloud sell your information to third parties. What they share about you though is far more than just your name and favorite mix.  They share data that Soundcloud collects, like your last google search, IP address, location, etc.  Sounds pretty creepy right? But at least all your ADs are catered to your strange addiction to vintage Gucci bags.  But of course, you can opt out of cookies to better protect your information.

6. Is your Google+ account or Facebook linked to your Soundcloud?

If you answered yes, you might want to consider reviewing the terms of service and other relevant documents about your privacy. Facebook and Google+ both have access to your information if it is linked to your Soundcloud even if you opt out of cookies.

7. You only have 6 followers and you’re desperate and willing to pay for more.

Don’t it.  Not only is it tasteless and obvious, but Soundcloud has a strict policy against faking the popularity of your Soundcloud.  Doing so may cause your profile to be removed altogether.  No profile, no followers.

8. Where did my mix go?

If you’re asking yourself that question, then you probably infringed on Soundcloud’s copyright policy. All content you post must be owned solely by you or you must obtain proper copyright privileges.

9. Another user is stealing my mix!!

Unfortunately, you may fall victim to a copyright infringement.  If this happens to you or anyone you know, report it to Soundcloud immediately.