Reported by 3 outlets
The story so far
AI summary of the reporting below · Updated · How we work
Spotify is rolling out a new verification system aimed at subscribers who share its Family Plan with people outside their physical household. During the company's third-quarter earnings call, co-CEO Alex Norström confirmed the measures, downplaying suggestions of a crackdown and describing the move as a routine improvement to long-standing verification tools. [1][2][3]
Under the new system, Family Plan members receive a notification prompting them to scan a QR code displayed directly on the primary plan manager's phone. Members are given seven days to complete the physical scan. Those who fail to verify in time face a 12-month ban from joining any Family or Duo plan, leaving them to pay for their own individual subscriptions. [2][3]
Norström noted that the Family Plan has existed for roughly 12 to 13 years and represents a significant portion of Spotify's subscriber base. He emphasized that the company views verification as an ongoing process with no set end date, adapting as users find ways around household restrictions. [1][2][3]
Earlier this week a new method of Spotify Family plan verification came to light and, in its latest earnings call, Spotify says that it’s not a “crackdown,” but also something that doesn’t have an “end date.”
via 9to5Google
Spotify told investors its rollout of QR code verification to ensure Family Plan members live in the same household is not a "crackdown," just a routine improvement.
via TechCrunch
Spotify co-CEO Alex Norström confirmed on this week's earnings call that the company is trying to catch Spotify Family plan users who don't actually live together with a new QR code verification method that requires scanning the plan manager's phone. TechCrunch reports that in response to a question about the "crackdown," he called it a…
via The Verge