How to Remove New U2 Album From Apple iTunes

Instead of thanking Apple Inc. for its gift of music, many music lovers raised a howl of protest when the US multinational company gave half a billion iTunes customers a free copy of U2's latest album "Songs of Innocence."

Without seeking the consent of iTunes customers, Apple Chief Executive Tim Cook announced last week that all 500 million iTunes customers would automatically receive a digital version of the album in their accounts ahead of its release next month.

But instead of receiving "thank you" comments, Apple drew thousands of protests on social media.

Some customers said they felt as though Apple was forcing them to listen to the latest U2 album. Worse, iTunes users could not find an easy way to remove the album from their iTunes libraries.

Twitter user @EricAmer wrote: "Waking up with the new U2 album on automatically installed on your iTunes is like waking up with a pimple in the morning. #nothanks"

@AdamJonesMawson said: "#U2iPhone ok so I now have U2's album on my phone that I didn't download it's just appeared this is slightly creepy and invasion of privacy."

The public reaction stunned both Apple and the Irish rock band. U2 band leader Bono explained that the band had nothing to do with the brouhaha since Apple was the one that paid for the download of their latest album to iTunes users.

Shifting to damage-control mode, Apple recently provided an easy way for people to delete the questioned U2 album from their account. It introduced a special "button" for iTunes customers where they can quickly delete all the album tracks from their accounts.

Apple also issued an advisory telling its customers: "If you would like U2's 'Songs Of Innocence' removed from your iTunes music library and iTunes purchases, you can choose to have it removed. Once the album has been removed from your account, it will no longer be available for you to redownload as a previous purchase. If you later decide that you want the album, you will need to get it again. The album is free to everyone until October 13, 2014, and will be available for purchase after that date."

Apple's Senior Vice President Eddy Cue has announced that 33million iTunes users had so far accessed the U2 album, describing the figure as "record-breaking."

U2 performed at an event in California last week when Apple unveiled its new smartwatch and iPhone models.