Spotify

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Spotify

Basic information
Founded	2006
Type	Public
Industry	Audio Streaming
Official website	https://spotify.com/

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Spotify is a global music-streaming service founded in 2006 in Sweden by Daniel Ek and Martin Lorentzon. It allows users to stream music, podcasts, and other audio content via a freemium model, offering both free, ad-supported access and premium subscription services.

Summary of anti-consumer practices

Car Thing

Main article: 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. 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. On June 30, 2022, the device went on sale for $50. 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." In August of 2022, Spotify further reduced the price to $30 in order to sell off all existing stock.

On October 20, 2022, security researchers released a report on how they achieved root on the Car Thing, uncovering how the device could potentially be hacked. Spotify responded on October 21, 2022, saying that the product is unsupported, end-of-life, and therefore no bugs would be accepted pertaining to the product. The product had gone from its launch to "end-of-life" in the span of 8 months.

Screenshot of email from Spotify, sent to Car Thing users.

On May 23rd, 2024, Spotify announced, via email to users, that support for the Car Thing would end in December of that year, rendering the device inoperable after that point.

The Car Thing support page advised Car Thing owners to "contact your state or local waste disposal department to determine how to dispose of or recycle Car Thing in accordance with applicable laws and regulations," rendering the device obsolete. On May 28, 2024 a class action lawsuit was filed against Spotify, due to a lack of refunds offered on the Car Thing. “All of the claims herein arise out of Spotify’s decision to unilaterally and without recourse cut off its support of the Car Thing and announce its plan to terminate its functionality on December 9, 2024,” the lawsuit reads. "Many owners of the Car Thing have complained in public forums and to Spotify about the discontinuance of the product and have requested that Spotify address and remedy the problem by providing a refund, equivalent replacement, or allow the Car Thing to be open sourced for use outside of Spotify’s control. Spotify has stated that it will not refund, or replace, the Car Thing, instead recommending that Consumers “reset your Car Thing to factory settings and safely dispose of your device following local electronic waste guidelines.”

On May 31, 2024, Spotify began offering refunds for the Car Thing.

The Spotify website for Car Thing now reads "Contact customer service by no later than January 14, 2025 to discuss your refund options." The Spotify support web page for Car Thing states that they are discontinuing the hardware product as part of ongoing efforts to streamline their product offerings.