Google Music upsetting users with device-deauthorization rule

Google Music is catching some heat over at the XDA-Developers forum for reportedly limiting the number of devices that can be deauthorized from the service.

According to several forum posters, Google Music now only allows users to deauthorize four devices per year. Previously, users could deauthorize as many devices as they'd liked without worrying about hitting a limit, according to the forum posters.

In order for Google Music to work with devices, users must authorize them to work with the platform. Google limits the number of devices that can be authorized to 10. So, when users want to swap out a smartphone for another or connect their library to another device, they'll need to deauthorize an old one if they've hit the 10-product limit. Apple's iTunes platform comes with a similar product-authorization function.

"Def. Need to find a way around this. I'm maxed out on deauthorizations and I'm at 8 devices," said forum poster "anthonok."

Although it's not immediately clear why the change was reportedly made, one forum poster said that they called Google for information, which revealed that the modification was rolled out within the last 60 days.

When Google Music launched late last year, many folks had high hopes for the service, which allows users to access their music collections from different devices. However, it has faced some trouble getting off the ground, and back in February, CNET sources revealed that the search company has expressed some concern with lower-than-expected customer adoption and revenue surrounding the platform. Still, Google hasn't thrown its full marketing muscle behind the service just yet, and when it does, things could change.

CNET has contacted Google for comment on the claims made by the forum posters. We will update this story when we have more information.