# Bono admits 2014 iTunes debacle “went too far” after costing Apple $100,000,000

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/bono-admits-2014-itunes-debacle-went-too-far-after-costing-apple-100000000/
- Published: 2026-10-27T13:36:05+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-07T06:10:20+00:00
- Original publisher: Far Out
- Original article: https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/bono-admits-2014-itunes-debacle-went-too-far-after-costing-apple-100000000/
- Topics: Music

## Key points

- Bono says U2’s iTunes album giveaway went too far.
- He says the idea was his responsibility.
- Apple reportedly spent $100 million on the fallout.

## Summary

Bono has said he went too far with U2’s 2014 decision to give every iTunes user a free copy of *Songs of Innocence*. The unsolicited album upset users, some of whom initially struggled to remove it, and Bono has now acknowledged that the idea was his and that he was responsible.

In an interview with the New York Times, Bono said the stunt was “all on me” and agreed it caused reputational damage. Apple reportedly spent $100 million addressing the fallout, while U2’s The Edge described taking risks and failing as part of the band’s work. U2 are preparing to release *Carnaval de Luz* on 13 November and have announced South American dates for their next world tour.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.