Spotify: Difference between revisions
m whoops |
|||
| (3 intermediate revisions by 3 users not shown) | |||
| Line 11: | Line 11: | ||
==Consumer-impact summary== | ==Consumer-impact summary== | ||
====Freedom==== | ====Freedom==== | ||
Users can request to obtain a copy of and delete their user data through the app and website.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://support.spotify.com/us/article/data-rights-and-privacy-settings/|title=Data rights and privacy choices|work=Spotify Support|access-date=2025-09-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250916033527/https://support.spotify.com/us/article/data-rights-and-privacy-settings/|archive-date=2025-09-16|url-status=live}}</ref> According to the user guidelines, users cannot share their accounts with others (section 13) or reverse- | Users can request to obtain a copy of and delete their user data through the app and website.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://support.spotify.com/us/article/data-rights-and-privacy-settings/|title=Data rights and privacy choices|work=Spotify Support|access-date=2025-09-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250916033527/https://support.spotify.com/us/article/data-rights-and-privacy-settings/|archive-date=2025-09-16|url-status=live}}</ref> According to the user guidelines, users cannot share their accounts with others (section 13) or reverse-engineer the Spotify client (section 1).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.spotify.com/us/legal/user-guidelines/|title=Spotify User Guidelines|work=Spotify|access-date=2025-09-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250907171037/https://www.spotify.com/us/legal/user-guidelines/|archive-date=2025-09-07|url-status=live}}</ref> | ||
====Privacy==== | ====Privacy==== | ||
According to the privacy policy, user data collected includes name, estimated age, address, gender, phone number, and date of birth, with optional data such as voice and usage data being used to "personalize your account".<ref name="SpotifyPP>{{Cite web|url=https://www.spotify.com/us/legal/privacy-policy/|title=Privacy Policy|date=2025-08-27|work=Spotify|access-date=2025-09-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250916051241/https://www.spotify.com/us/legal/privacy-policy/|archive-date=2025-09-16|url-status=live}}</ref> This data, including listening history, is retained by Spotify for "as long as necessary" until the user makes a deletion request (with the exception of search queries after 90 days). Spotify also states they share your data with third parties, including [[Google Maps]] to verify addresses when purchasing a premium subscription.<ref name="SpotifyPP" /> | According to the privacy policy, user data collected includes name, estimated age, address, gender, phone number, and date of birth, with optional data such as voice and usage data being used to "personalize your account".<ref name="SpotifyPP">{{Cite web|url=https://www.spotify.com/us/legal/privacy-policy/|title=Privacy Policy|date=2025-08-27|work=Spotify|access-date=2025-09-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250916051241/https://www.spotify.com/us/legal/privacy-policy/|archive-date=2025-09-16|url-status=live}}</ref> This data, including listening history, is retained by Spotify for "as long as necessary" until the user makes a deletion request (with the exception of search queries after 90 days). Spotify also states they share your data with third parties, including [[Google Maps]] to verify addresses when purchasing a premium subscription.<ref name="SpotifyPP" /> | ||
====Business model==== | ====Business model==== | ||
| Line 23: | Line 23: | ||
==Incidents== | ==Incidents== | ||
===Car Thing=== | |||
===Privacy violations and data misuse ''(2015)''=== | |||
In 2015, Spotify demanded access to users’ contacts, photos, and location via mobile apps, triggering backlash over disproportionate data harvesting.{{CitationNeeded}} | |||
===Car Thing ''(2019-2024)''=== | |||
{{Main|Spotify Car Thing}} | {{Main|Spotify Car Thing}} | ||
In 2019, Spotify announced the Car Thing, a device marketed as a voice-controlled interface for selecting music and podcasts while driving.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://newsroom.spotify.com/2021-04-13/spotify-launches-our-newest-exploration-a-limited-release-of-car-thing-a-smart-player-for-your-car/|title=Spotify Launches Our Newest Exploration: A Limited Release of Car Thing, a Smart Player for Your Car|date=2021-04-13|work=Spotify Newsroom|access-date=2025-09-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250801132943/https://newsroom.spotify.com/2021-04-13/spotify-launches-our-newest-exploration-a-limited-release-of-car-thing-a-smart-player-for-your-car/|archive-date=2025-08-01|url-status=live}}</ref> The device was officially launched in the U.S. on February 22, 2022, it cost $89.99 and requires a Spotify Premium subscription plan along with a phone with a mobile data connection to be used.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://newsroom.spotify.com/2022-02-22/car-thing-from-spotify-is-now-officially-available-in-the-u-s/|title=Car Thing From Spotify Is Now Officially Available in the U.S.|date=2022-02-02|work=Spotify Newsroom|access-date=2025-09-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250416142739/https://newsroom.spotify.com/2022-02-22/car-thing-from-spotify-is-now-officially-available-in-the-u-s/|archive-date=2025-04-16|url-status=live}}</ref> On June 30, 2022, the device went on sale for $50. <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://community.spotify.com/t5/Car-Thing/Summer-Sale-Special-89-99/td-p/5412050|title=Solved: Summer Sale Special $89.99 - The Spotify Community|work=Spotify Community|author=greyorlyte|date=2022-08-01|access-date=2025-09-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250126174331/https://community.spotify.com/t5/Car-Thing/Summer-Sale-Special-89-99/td-p/5412050|archive-date=2025-01-26|url-status=live}}</ref> The company discontinued production of the device in July 27, 2022, citing low demand. A spokesperson told TechCrunch. “Based on several factors, including product demand and supply chain issues, we have decided to stop further production of Car Thing units. Existing devices will perform as intended." <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://techcrunch.com/2022/07/27/spotify-exits-short-lived-car-thing-hardware-play-as-reports-q2-maus-of-433m-offsetting-russia-exit-and-service-outage/|title=Spotify exits short-lived Car Thing hardware play, reports Q2 MAUs of 433M, offsetting Russia exit and service outage|first=Ingrid|last=Lunden|date=2022-07-27|work=TechCrunch|access-date=2025-09-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250708172544/https://techcrunch.com/2022/07/27/spotify-exits-short-lived-car-thing-hardware-play-as-reports-q2-maus-of-433m-offsetting-russia-exit-and-service-outage/|archive-date=2025-07-08|url-status=live}}</ref> In August of 2022, Spotify further reduced the price to $30 in order to sell off all existing stock. <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.androidpolice.com/spotify-car-thing-lowest-price-ever-get-one-still-can/|title=Spotify Car Thing is at its lowest price ever, get one while you still can|first=Rajesh|last=Pandey|work=Android Police|date=2022-08-25|access-date=2025-09-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250405054611/https://www.androidpolice.com/spotify-car-thing-lowest-price-ever-get-one-still-can/|archive-date=2025-04-05|url-status=live}}</ref> | In 2019, Spotify announced the Car Thing, a device marketed as a voice-controlled interface for selecting music and podcasts while driving.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://newsroom.spotify.com/2021-04-13/spotify-launches-our-newest-exploration-a-limited-release-of-car-thing-a-smart-player-for-your-car/|title=Spotify Launches Our Newest Exploration: A Limited Release of Car Thing, a Smart Player for Your Car|date=2021-04-13|work=Spotify Newsroom|access-date=2025-09-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250801132943/https://newsroom.spotify.com/2021-04-13/spotify-launches-our-newest-exploration-a-limited-release-of-car-thing-a-smart-player-for-your-car/|archive-date=2025-08-01|url-status=live}}</ref> The device was officially launched in the U.S. on February 22, 2022, it cost $89.99 and requires a Spotify Premium subscription plan along with a phone with a mobile data connection to be used.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://newsroom.spotify.com/2022-02-22/car-thing-from-spotify-is-now-officially-available-in-the-u-s/|title=Car Thing From Spotify Is Now Officially Available in the U.S.|date=2022-02-02|work=Spotify Newsroom|access-date=2025-09-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250416142739/https://newsroom.spotify.com/2022-02-22/car-thing-from-spotify-is-now-officially-available-in-the-u-s/|archive-date=2025-04-16|url-status=live}}</ref> On June 30, 2022, the device went on sale for $50. <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://community.spotify.com/t5/Car-Thing/Summer-Sale-Special-89-99/td-p/5412050|title=Solved: Summer Sale Special $89.99 - The Spotify Community|work=Spotify Community|author=greyorlyte|date=2022-08-01|access-date=2025-09-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250126174331/https://community.spotify.com/t5/Car-Thing/Summer-Sale-Special-89-99/td-p/5412050|archive-date=2025-01-26|url-status=live}}</ref> The company discontinued production of the device in July 27, 2022, citing low demand. A spokesperson told TechCrunch. “Based on several factors, including product demand and supply chain issues, we have decided to stop further production of Car Thing units. Existing devices will perform as intended." <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://techcrunch.com/2022/07/27/spotify-exits-short-lived-car-thing-hardware-play-as-reports-q2-maus-of-433m-offsetting-russia-exit-and-service-outage/|title=Spotify exits short-lived Car Thing hardware play, reports Q2 MAUs of 433M, offsetting Russia exit and service outage|first=Ingrid|last=Lunden|date=2022-07-27|work=TechCrunch|access-date=2025-09-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250708172544/https://techcrunch.com/2022/07/27/spotify-exits-short-lived-car-thing-hardware-play-as-reports-q2-maus-of-433m-offsetting-russia-exit-and-service-outage/|archive-date=2025-07-08|url-status=live}}</ref> In August of 2022, Spotify further reduced the price to $30 in order to sell off all existing stock. <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.androidpolice.com/spotify-car-thing-lowest-price-ever-get-one-still-can/|title=Spotify Car Thing is at its lowest price ever, get one while you still can|first=Rajesh|last=Pandey|work=Android Police|date=2022-08-25|access-date=2025-09-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250405054611/https://www.androidpolice.com/spotify-car-thing-lowest-price-ever-get-one-still-can/|archive-date=2025-04-05|url-status=live}}</ref> | ||
| Line 38: | Line 42: | ||
{{Clear}} | {{Clear}} | ||
===Voice & environment surveillance patent=== | ===Voice & environment surveillance patent ''(2021)''=== | ||
<blockquote>The audio signals may be recorded in real-time, or may correspond to previously-recorded audio signals... | <blockquote>The audio signals may be recorded in real-time, or may correspond to previously-recorded audio signals... | ||
| Line 54: | Line 58: | ||
===Fake artists and playlist manipulation=== | ===Fake artists and playlist manipulation ''(2024-)''=== | ||
In recent years, Spotify has experimented with | In recent years, Spotify has experimented with inserting extra AI and longform content into user playlists, in order to lower the average royalty cost paid out per user. | ||
*Perfect Fit Content (PFC) Program: | *Perfect Fit Content (PFC) Program: | ||
::An internal initiative to seed playlists with AI generated or low cost music (''e.g., ambient, jazz. The velvet sundown'') from Swedish and English producers. These tracks replaced human artists to reduce royalty payouts.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=The truth about Spotify |url=https://www.honest-broker.com/p/the-ugly-truth-about-spotify-is-finally|date=2024-12-19|first=Ted|last=Gioia|work=The Honest Broker|access-date=2025-09-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250905090427/https://www.honest-broker.com/p/the-ugly-truth-about-spotify-is-finally|archive-date=2025-09-05|url-status=live}}</ | ::An internal initiative to seed playlists with AI generated or low cost music (''e.g., ambient, jazz. The velvet sundown'') from Swedish and English producers. These tracks replaced human artists to reduce royalty payouts.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=The truth about Spotify |url=https://www.honest-broker.com/p/the-ugly-truth-about-spotify-is-finally|date=2024-12-19|first=Ted|last=Gioia|work=The Honest Broker|access-date=2025-09-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250905090427/https://www.honest-broker.com/p/the-ugly-truth-about-spotify-is-finally|archive-date=2025-09-05|url-status=live}}</ref> | ||
*Fake artist networks: | *Fake artist networks: | ||
| Line 68: | Line 72: | ||
*Playlist manipulation | *Playlist manipulation | ||
::The National Music Publishers Association (NMPA) criticized Spotify for bundling music with audiobooks to lower royalty rates, calling it a "predatory" practice.{{CitationNeeded}} | ::The National Music Publishers Association (NMPA) criticized Spotify for bundling music with audiobooks to lower royalty rates, calling it a "predatory" practice.{{CitationNeeded}} | ||
| Line 77: | Line 78: | ||
*[[Deezer]] | *[[Deezer]] | ||
*[[Pandora]] | *[[Pandora]] | ||
*[[ | *[[SoundCloud]] | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
{{reflist}} | {{reflist}} | ||
[[Category:Spotify]] | [[Category:Spotify]] | ||