So it's ok when you pay for the service? Are you suggesting that Apple doesn't collect information about your iTunes purchases, your iTunes Match library, etc?
For some reason - there are elements of this discussion which seem backwards. That people are more OK paying to have their data collected + a service they want vs getting the service for free and having their data collected.
Newsflash - you can opt of either, both or none. Apple is no more "altruistic" than Google is. No matter how you want to spin it
Where did I say anything about Apple? Why does every discussion here have to devolve into Google vs. Apple, like some kind of west coast-east coast rap war?
What I was taking exception to is the constant drone by tech bloggers of "free service". It's not free. I don't use Apple match because I prefer my privacy and I prefer lossless music. I'm not championing Apple on this issue, I'm asking for more honesty and scrutiny from bloggers in the tech products they write about. I know I shouted out MacRumors here, but every major tech blog glosses over the real price to customers -- Techcrunch, Verge, The Next Web, Engadget....