How to Remove "Love" or Heart Icon in iTunes

I think thats what the original post meant by 'familiar methods; but

It still shows:

• to the right of the 'Edit' Icon in the playlist,
• to the left of the up next in the visualiser

Does anyone know how to remove these?

iTunes Menu -> Preferences -> General

At Ratings, choose between Stars - the same as always 5 star system of rating, or Loves (the heart), or both.

Things that you buy they already have access to; that's not what they're asking for with the heart system. They also don't have any access to things you add manually as far as I know. Further, Genius is another completely optional feature, so that's not relevant anyways.

I'm 'betting' I was right in the first place. Apple is smart enough to make informed decisions with their information usage policies. In fact, if you read their privacy policy (citation: https://www.apple.com/legal/privacy/en-ww/ ) any information about your usage must be collected either anonymously (as non-personal information to help them understand general user trends) or voluntarily. Until now, there has been no voluntary system for collecting rating or play count.

So. We're back to what I said originally; Apple didn't have access to this information before, and they're nice enough to give us an optional feature to provide them with that info if we so chose. I chose not to, many people will chose to and will probably benefit from it.

So again; better to do some research and know what you're talking about prior to being "disappointed" in a company due to their completely legitimate and well informed actions.

Under the General Tab in iTunes Preferences, there is a new drop-down setting for "Ratings" with three options:

• Stars
• Stars & Loves
• Loves

Simply change the setting to "Stars" and the heart will no longer appear.

right click on column headings and deselect love (from the songs view, etc).

Life is full of pain and disappointment. Report a bug.

iTunes Menu -> Provide iTunes feedback

Yeah it is disappointing to discover that Apple can't work out which tracks one likes by the number of times played, and/or the star system.

The standard 5 star rating is still there for song that you own, but I believe the 'heart' rating is intended for songs that you don't and do own to allow Apple Music find out what type of music may interest you in the "For You" section of iTunes.

If you have no interest in this then don't use it.

@john warr

Actually, it isn't disappointing to discover there. Depending on ToU or EULA, Apple may not have a right to use that information in that capacity. There are limitations on what information you can gather and disseminate with your software. In the interest of keeping that information gathering optional, rather than alter the ToU to say that they can collect info on ratings or play counts, they must have decided to give us a different, optional system- which is great. It means we can still rate our music and know our playcount without having Apple use that info if we so chose, and if we want them to see our preferences we can use the heart info.

No offense intended to you, but this is a good example of why people who have no knowledge about the software world shouldn't make these kind of assumptions and comments. I see Apple and other companies getting trashed for stuff like this all the time, when in reality they are being honest and keeping the best interest of the user in mind.

However the Apple store has a bunch of recommendations of things to buy based on a) what I've purchased before, and b) what happens to be in my library. And the genius thing is building playlists based around my library and the libraries of millions of others too.

http://www.technologyreview.com/view/419198/how-itunes-genius-really-works/

So I'm betting that the ToU already gives Apple all the rights they need to analyze our listening habits and the ratings we give things already.

So where is there something specific to the heart icon? Hmmm! Where is the warning "if you use this specific button you give us the authority to ..." Hmmm!

What you are looking for is the license agreement for iTunes

Consent to Use of Data: You agree that Application Provider may collect and use technical data and related information, including but not limited to technical information about Your device, system and application software, and peripherals, that is gathered periodically to facilitate the provision of software updates, product support and other services to You (if any) related to the Licensed Application. Application Provider may use this information, as long as it is in a form that does not personally identify You, to improve its products or to provide services or technologies to You.

It's part of iTunes Music.

Again, perfect example of why people ignorant of privacy policies and information sharing shouldn't comment on this stuff. Technical data is personal data, and can ONLY be taken if specifically included in that paragraph. Technical data means your operating system, system specs, other devices like keyboards, mice, and headphones you have plugged in, and installed software.

That does not include using information on your purchases. Please, be informed prior to slamming companies.

You still haven't explained how this heart icon differs from the star icons. You maintain there is a difference due to privacy agreements, that dictates that the star system cannot be used to determine musical tastes but that the heart system can be. However, you are unable to point to where that difference is and instead insult. Personally I think you are a blowhard that hasn't got a clue, but will give you the benefit of the doubt and simply ask once more where it says in any iTunes software agreement that using the hearts gives Apple the ability to determine musical taste where the star system does not. Remember I've already linked above to where an Apple engineer specifically says that our ratings, purchases, and plays determine the genius playlists.

Genius is an opt-in program, I'm not sure how you're having trouble understanding that.

If you're not using it, they cannot use that information. It's in their license agreement, as I linked to show you.

I don't know where the heart system ToU is, mainly because I don't know what it's called. Obviously they have put a clause somewhere to use it otherwise it would be illegal- unless you really think Apple is illegally accessing information outside of their licensed rights? I don't have the time or the inclination to go chasing it down for you, but clearly they CAN use that info (since that's the point of the system) which makes your point irrelevant anyways.

Seems like you just weren't comfortable with your ignorance of the subject being pointed out. Sorry if I hurt your feelings.

To sum it up in simple terms:

1) They can't use your ratings or playcount without your express permission. This is clearly stated in the privacy agreement, even though you're having some trouble figuring out the difference between technical information and personal information.

2) Genius gives them permission to use this information

3) Heart/love obviously gives them permission to use this due to how the system functions. I don't need to prove this, it says it right on the tin.

Clicking the heart icon is also an opt-in thing just as the star rating is. You aren't obliged to use them.

3) Heart/love obviously gives them permission to use this due to how the system functions. I don't need to prove this, it says it right on the tin.

You say that but you don't know where on "the tin" it might be. In other words you are making stuff up, and being insulting. Having been called on your nonsense you are now blowing smoke.

To recap: the T&C for the iTunes software has clauses about sharing your iTunes library data with Apple. There are no extra clauses added for this GUI element clicking on it just adds more data to your library. If you have agreed to share your data then you have already agreed to share your plays and rating and that ought to give the same data as the heart icon.