Spotify Denies Recent Accusation That It Changed Its Terms For Artists
Spotify denies recent accusation that it changed its terms for artists after viral creator videos sparked confusion across the music community. The streaming giant clarified that its latest updates were not about artist rights, but about listener features.
Image Credits:Nikos Pekiaridis/NurPhoto / Getty Images
Viral Claims Spark Artist Concerns
This controversy began after creators, including artist @chantmagick, claimed Spotify quietly updated its terms and conditions. The allegation suggested that Spotify’s new rules allowed the company to transfer rights to artists’ music to partners, affiliates, and even tech providers.
The claims spread quickly on social media, sparking backlash from independent musicians and fans who worried about exploitation.
Spotify Responds To The Accusation
Spotify responded with a firm denial, stating the accusations are “false.” The company reassured artists, podcasters, and authors that the updated terms do not affect distribution rights for their content.
Instead, the changes are aimed at listeners. According to Spotify, the updated language simply allows the platform to display user-generated content such as:
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Custom playlist covers
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Comments on podcasts
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User-created playlist titles
These updates, Spotify added, are standard practice across streaming services.
Ongoing Criticism Of Artist Compensation
Even though Spotify denies recent accusation that it changed its terms for artists, broader criticism remains. For years, artists have argued that the platform pays too little in royalties.
In fact, U.S. lawmakers Rashida Tlaib and Jamaal Bowman introduced the Living Wage for Musicians Act, which calls for higher streaming royalties—specifically one cent per stream.
Spotify Defends Its Payouts
Despite criticism, Spotify highlights its growing financial contributions to the music industry. The company reported paying out $10 billion in 2024, insisting its compensation model continues to improve.
While Spotify denies recent accusation that it changed its terms for artists, the debate over fair pay and streaming transparency is far from over. For artists, the bigger issue isn’t the fine print—it’s whether streaming services will ever deliver royalties that reflect the true value of their work.
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