You might have to rethink your plans if you share your Spotify account with friends.Spotify has tightened Premium Family and Duo plan validation to help ensure you're sharing only with the people in your home.The audio streaming service has already asked sharing members to provide their address both when they join and when the plan owner changes their location.
Now, however, an updated support page reveals that "some" Premium members will also be asked to verify using their phones.If you run the account, you'll have to obtain a QR code by visiting Your Premium in the Spotify app and choosing Manage.The subaccount holders then have to scan the code within a week of receiving the validation request.
Anyone who fails will be banned from joining a different Family or Duo plan for a year, and will have to choose a different tier.The QR code changes "every few seconds," according to Spotify.You can potentially fool the validator by starting a video call and using a separate device to scan the code, but the system is clearly meant to discourage you from capturing a screenshot from afar.
You'll usually have to be physically present.Why is Spotify asking me to scan a QR code? It's all about money As with Netflix and other streaming services, Spotify is cracking down on users who hand out shared accounts to distant people.While those nearby can always visit, your far-away friend will likely have to sign up for Premium themselves.
Related 5 brand new Spotify features that I can't get enough of, and how to use them Take your streaming to the next level.Posts 1 By T.M.Amrita The motivation is clear: sharing a $22 per month Family plan is much more affordable than asking everyone to pay their own way, whether it's a $7 Student account or a classic $13 per month individual plan.
That hurts Spotify's bottom line and masks the number of households that subscribe.The move could push you to free, ad-supported Spotify if you can't afford any subscription.Spotify is clearly betting that most of those piggybacking on someone else's account can justify one of their own.
You could switch to rivals like Apple Music, but there's no guarantee they'll maintain more relaxed sharing policies.
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