Spotify confirms Family Plan crackdown, but calls it a ‘routine improvement’
Spotify has implemented a new QR code verification method for its Family Plan to ensure all members reside at the same address. The company describes this as a routine improvement to prevent unauthorized account sharing, rather than a targeted crackdown.
Why it matters
This reflects a broader trend of streaming services tightening account-sharing policies to protect subscription revenue.
Spotify confirmed the reports of its crackdown on Family Plan sharing during its third-quarter call with investors, calling its new method “a routine improvement” to its existing verification tools.
Over the past several days, reports had surfaced indicating that Spotify was rolling out a “QR code verification” method, where the app would prompt members on its Family Plan to verify they lived with the plan manager by scanning a QR code. This code appears on the plan manager’s phone, which the plan member then needs to scan with their own phone, according to Spotify’s support documentation .
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in