Apple is investigating iTunes for cases of disappearing local content, after a blogger suggested that the deletions could be an attempt to swap out current music files with DRM-protected tracks.
Calling the reports "an extremely small number of cases," Apple, in a statement to iMore, acknowledged the incidents in which iTunes music was deleted without the users' permission. Those who experienced the issue should report the problem to AppleCare, Apple stated.
"We're taking these reports seriously as we know how important music is to our customers and our teams are focused on identifying the cause," Apple said in the statement. "We have not been able to reproduce this issue, however, we're releasing an update to iTunes early next week, which includes additional safeguards."
Since Apple hasn't been able to reproduce the issue yet, iTunes users can only speculate about what the problem may be. However, some users seem convinced the problem has to do with the Windows version of Apple Music attempting to store all local music in the cloud.
Last week, designer and composer James Pinkstone took to his blog to state his theory about Apple Music and its hunger for DRM-free music. After installing Apple Music, the software scanned his music collection and then removed original tracks from his library.
"If Apple Music saw a file it didn't recognize — which came up often, since I'm a freelance composer and have many music files that I created myself — it would then download it to Apple's database, delete it from my hard drive, and serve it back to me when I wanted to listen, just like it would with my other music files it had deleted," Pinkstone said.
Over on Apple's iTunes forums, a smattering of users are still reporting cases of their original, or unrecognized, music being deleted from iTunes after installing Apple Music. A user even reported in the Apple forum about losing 2,500 songs after switching from Mac to PC and installing Apple Music.
"I have resubscribed to Apple music to hopefully access my music, but i haven't had any luck. I feel that I have been screwed over by Apple a little bit," the user said.
Overwhelming responses #AppleStoleMyMusic! Let this post serve as a PSA reminder for us all to be aware and secure our media. #BittenByApple
— Vellum (@VellumAtlanta) May 5, 2016
