NEW YORK – Apple Inc. says 33 million iTunes account holders have accessed U2’s free album.
The company issued a statement Monday from Senior Vice-President Eddy Cue with the first usage numbers for the surprise “Songs of Freedom” release by the company. Apple gave the album to 500 million iTunes account holders last week during the company’s iPhone 6 unveiling news conference.
But there was controversy over the fact that people had the album downloaded onto their devices without consent. On Monday, Apple responded, releasing a tool that allows users to remove Songs of Innocence from their iTunes library.
READ MORE: Apple makes it easier to delete U2 album amid anger over free music
Cue called the number record-breaking, but did not elaborate. The figure includes customers who downloaded the album from their iCloud account, streamed it or used iTunes’ radio player to hear it.
Apple paid the Irish rock band for a five-week exclusive window during which the album is only available to its customers. “Songs of Innocence” will be released Oct. 14 to the general public.
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