Hern, Alex (4 April 2017). “Spotify to host top stars’ albums for premium subscribers solely”. Ingraham, Nathan (20 April 2017). “Spotify lets hundreds of indie labels limit free streaming”. Fioretti, Julia (10 May 2017). “EU to deal with complaints over tech corporations’ trading practices”. Singleton, Micah (15 June 2017). “Spotify now has 140 million active users”. In May 2018, Spotify attracted criticism for its “Hate Content & Hateful Conduct coverage” that eliminated the music of R. Kelly and XXXTentacion from its editorial and algorithmic playlists as a result of “After we look at promotion, we take a look at points round hateful conduct, where you have an artist or one other creator who has accomplished something off-platform that’s so particularly out of line with our values, egregious, in a method that it turns into something that we don’t want to affiliate ourselves with.” R. Kelly has faced accusations of sexual abuse, whereas XXXTentacion was on trial for domestic abuse in a case that did not reach a judgement earlier than his death that June. The corporate also introduced “Spotify Running”, a characteristic aimed toward improving music whereas operating with music matched to working tempo, and announced that podcasts and movies (“entertainment, information and clips”) could be coming to Spotify, together with “Spotify Originals” content.
In a further escalation of the dispute with Apple, on thirteen March 2019, Spotify filed an antitrust complaint with the European Commission over unfair app retailer practices. In January 2022, 270 scientists, physicians, professors, doctors, and healthcare employees wrote an open letter to Spotify expressing concern over “false and societally harmful assertions” on Joe Rogan’s podcast, The Joe Rogan Experience, and asked Spotify to “set up a transparent and public policy to average misinformation on its platform”. Repko, Melissa (30 January 2022). “Bruce Springsteen guitarist Nils Lofgren joins protest of Spotify over Covid misinformation”. Brian, Matt (four January 2013). “Spotify is no longer offering new music download purchases to its users”. On 19 November 2019, Spotify introduced the acquisition of the exclusive rights to The Last Podcast on the Left. One month after Spotify acquired Gimlet Media in February 2019, 75% of staff at Gimlet Media went public, signing union playing cards and seeking voluntary recognition. In March 2021, Spotify introduced an upcoming choice for increased-decision sound, Spotify Hi-Fi. In February 2021, Spotify introduced their plans to introduce a HiFi subscription, to offer listening in high fidelity, lossless sound high quality. In 2020 and 2021, Spotify and DC, a model on the time under Warner Bros.
The Family subscription supplies access to Spotify Kids. Moreover, they are asking for a fairer redistribution system, as smaller artists are disproportionately disadvantaged on Spotify. In December 2024, Harper’s Magazine released a report alleging that Spotify was padding out playlists with ghost artists created by manufacturing companies in order to minimise royalty prices and enhance income. Nicolaou, Anna. “Spotify ejects thousands of AI-made songs in purge of fake streams”. Songs can be “liked” however cannot be “hated”. In March 2022, Spotify had 182 million premium subscribers. Gioia, Ted. “The Ugly Truth About Spotify Is Finally Revealed”. Byford, Sam (29 September 2016). “Spotify’s mobile lyrics feature is launching first in Japan”. Morrison, Maureen (26 May 2016). “Spotify Opens Its Popular Playlists to Sponsors”. The company reported that the tier situations could change earlier than its full launch. The following November, the corporate started rolling out an online participant, with a similar design to its laptop programs, but without the requirement of any installation. Unlike the apps, the web player does not have the flexibility to download music for offline listening. Spangler, Todd (10 September 2025). “Spotify Finally Launches HD Lossless Audio for Premium Subscribers”.