Spotify checks location of users Premium for Family subscription via GPS

During a test, Spotify sends emails to users of a Premium for Family subscription, at least in Germany, asking them to confirm the address. However, anyone who clicks through would have to provide the location via GPS.

At least that’s what the German Der Spiegel writes, which received a report from Spotify and went through the check. According to the site, ‘some’ Spotify customers were told to verify their address. If they didn’t, they would risk losing their subscription. Only customers with a Premium for Family subscription seem to get the message.

If you click on ‘confirm’, you will see a page with a button to determine the location via GPS and the request to do this at home. “Spotify only uses your GPS data to confirm your location,” is the promise. If GPS is off, you will be prompted to enter a zip code.

The check serves to detect abuse of the Premium for Family subscription, for example if customers share the service with friends or neighbours. With this subscription, a primary account holder can add up to five sub-accounts, which are actually intended for family members. The terms and conditions state: “All account holders must live at the same address to be eligible for Premium for Family”. There is nothing about a possible verification of the address, let alone the location.

In response to questions from Der Spiegel, Spotify only replies, “Spotify is currently testing several improvements to Premium for Family usability with small user groups in select markets.”