"Spying" on FM radio usage stats.
I used the word "Spying" to get your attention and opinions.
I've been considering adding "opt-in" and anonymized sending of usage stats to Spirit.
"Opt-in" means it would be off by default, and you would have to enable it before any data is sent.
At this time, I'd only consider basic info such as rough city level geographic info, frequency, and length of time listened.
The reason: money. I'm doing "OK" now and making "just enough to get by" but I can make at least 3-4 times as much in the corporate world, and my retirement fund is pitiful for the time I SHOULD have remaining.
Arbitron in the US sells radio and TV usage info. They, or their current or potential competitors, would love to buy smartphone data about radio usage. I've been approached a few times about business ideas related to this.
So, if it's completly opt-in, honestly anonymized by Google or other trusted back end service, and limited to rough area, frequency and time, would you consider enabling it ? Perhaps it could provide useful feature to users, such as station data, website etc. when enabled.
Perhaps a better free version of Spirit could have no option to disable. Nobody is forcing anyone to run any app of course.
I'm happy to hear any thoughts.