Spotify says yes, it is busting people for using Family Plan sharing too widely

What happened

Spotify co-CEO Alex Norström said on the company's latest earnings call that Spotify is trying to catch Family Plan users who do not live together. The company uses a new check that asks the plan manager to scan a QR code with their phone. When a reporter called this a "crackdown," he said it was a "routine improvement" of how Spotify checks accounts.

Key facts

• The Family Plan has existed for about 12 to 13 years.
• It makes up a pretty significant part of Spotify's subscribers.
• The QR code refreshes every few seconds.
• Users who miss the seven-day window to scan the code can be banned from joining a different Family or Duo plan for 12 months.

Why the rules exist

Spotify says Family plans are only for people who live in the same home. This is not the first time the company has tried to limit sharing. Some users have found ways to keep their shared Premium accounts, and the new check is meant to close those gaps.

Why it matters

The change affects many people who share one Spotify account with others. Users who are not in the same home may lose access or be blocked from other plans. It also shows a wider trend: other streaming services, such as Netflix and HBO Max, have also cracked down on password sharing.

What to watch

• Whether more users are banned under the new QR code check.
• How users respond, including whether they find new ways around the check.
• Whether Spotify changes the rules or the seven-day window.
• Whether other streaming services copy this kind of check.