Spotify: Difference between revisions
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==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> | ||
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{{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... | ||
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===Fake artists and playlist manipulation=== | ===Fake artists and playlist manipulation ''(2024-)''=== | ||
In recent years, Spotify has experimented with the addition of lower, and with ways to lower the average royalty cost paid out per user, by manipulating playlists to serve users content with smaller royalties attached. | In recent years, Spotify has experimented with the addition of lower, and with ways to lower the average royalty cost paid out per user, by manipulating playlists to serve users content with smaller royalties attached. | ||
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*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}} | ||