With the release of iTunes 10 in September 2010, Apple announced iTunes Ping, which CEO Steve Jobs described as "social music discovery." It had features reminiscent of Facebook, including profiles and the ability to follow other users.^[73] Ping was discontinued in September 2012.^[74]

Criticism

SecurityiTunes Ping, which CEO Steve Jobs described as "social music discovery." It had features reminiscent of Facebook, including profiles and the ability to follow other users.^[73] Ping was discontinued in September 2012.^[74]

Criticism

Security[The Telegraph reported in November 2011 that Apple had been aware of a security vulnerability since 2008 that would let unauthorized third parties install "updates" to users' iTunes software. Apple fixed the issue prior to the Telegraph's report, and told the media that "The security and privacy of our users is extremely important", though this was questioned by security researcher Brian Krebs, who told the publication that "A prominent security researcher warned Apple about this dangerous vulnerability in mid-2008, yet the company waited more than 1,200 days to fix the flaw."^[75]

Software bloat

iTunes has been repeatedly accused of being bloated as part of Apple's efforts to turn it from a music player to an all-encompassing multimedia platform.^{iTunes has been repeatedly accused of being bloated as part of Apple's efforts to turn it from a music player to an all-encompassing multimedia platform.[52][76][77][78][79] Former PC World editor Ed Bott accused the company of hypocrisy in its advertising attacks on Windows for similar practices.[80]}

In 2019, Craig Federighi acknowledged the issue and joked that iTunes was to include Email, Calendar, Safari, and a dock before announcing its retirement from macOS Catalina. The role of iTunes i

In 2019, Craig Federighi acknowledged the issue and joked that iTunes was to include Email, Calendar, Safari, and a dock before announcing its retirement from macOS Catalina. The role of iTunes is replaced with independent apps for Apple Music, Apple TV, as well as for iOS device management.