This should be the top comment.

OP, how about you're more transparent next time?

... but it isn't able to tell anyone, as it is not connected to the Internet. Poor smart TV.

I'm using FairEmail on Android. When tapping a link, thr app detects tracking parameters and offers to remove them. I really like that feature and wish other apps would offer something similar.

I believe Spotify is doing something similar.

Would be nice if social networks and messengers would automatically strip these parameters.

Guns without a serial number. They are untraceable.

"I'm fine, thanks. Who are you?"

This is probably a good time to remind everyone to set up the registration lock.

Winning the lottery. Not "acceptable" maybe, but a valid reason nonetheless.

I don't mind paying for the music. What I do mind, however, is the kind-of hostage situation that I am in with Spotify. I understand that they have costs that need to be covered. (Though, podcasts - especially exclusive ones - are NOT what I ordered.) I want to be in control of my data, and be able to easily transition to competitors and/or self-hosted solutions.

I guess one of the more difficult things to have "free" is the music that could be of interest to you, but you do not already own it.

I was contemplating to go back to reading album reviews and music news myself, but that seems like a larger time invest.

That is a very good question.

• What would it cost if I was to acquire the music in my library?
• What if I wanted to sail the seven seas instead? Where would I get the music from?

As for the algorithm, a lot of the suggestions for new music is probably also available to non-premium users (e.g. "Discover Weekly") and could be scraped/downloaded from the API.

I believe there could be a rise in demand for a solution to migrate away from these audio walled gardens, especially with the upcoming price hike.

Yeah what's the hate against JS? Did it steal your wife?

For us, the topics just changed. After Covid, they started to talk Pro-Putin bullshit, probably Q-Anon related. It's honestly shocking to see people who I once thought of as intelligent turn brainwashed. We rarely talk anymore, and if we do, it's very superficial.