Spotify introduces QR code verification for Family plan members
Spotify is rolling out a new QR code verification process for Premium Family subscribers to confirm they share a household. Members must scan a changing code on the plan manager's device within seven days or face a 12-month ban from other shared plans. This move targets the $21.99 monthly subscription, which serves up to six users, aiming to enforce the 'living under one roof' rule introduced in 2019. The update seeks to reduce account sharing among non-household members.
Key points
- Spotify, the global music streaming service, is implementing a new verification step for its Premium Family plan to ensure subscribers live in the same household.
- The process requires plan members to scan a QR code displayed on the plan manager's phone, which refreshes every few seconds to prevent static screenshots.
- Users have a seven-day window to complete the verification; failing this deadline prevents them from joining another Family or Duo plan for 12 months.
- The Premium Family plan costs $21.99 per month in the U.S. for up to six accounts, a significant discount compared to the $12.99 individual rate.
- Spotify originally launched the Family plan in 2014 and clarified in 2019 that it was intended for family members living under one roof.
- Users have noted that the verification can be circumvented using video calls and multiple devices, though the new rule tightens previous sharing practices.
Spotify is tightening its enforcement of the Premium Family plan by introducing a QR code verification system. The streaming giant is now requiring some members to confirm they live with the plan manager by scanning a dynamic code on their devices. This update targets the widespread practice of sharing accounts with friends or distant relatives, a common workaround for the higher cost of individual subscriptions.
The verification process requires the plan manager to open a specific screen on their phone, displaying a QR code that changes every few seconds. Members must scan this code with their own phone camera while in the same physical location. Spotify gives users a seven-day window from the initial notification to complete the check. If they miss the deadline or fail the scan, they are barred from joining a different Family or Duo plan for 12 months, a significant penalty for those relying on shared access.
The move reinforces a policy Spotify outlined in 2019, stating that the Family plan is for family members "living under one roof." The plan, available in the U.S. for $21.99 per month for up to six accounts, offers substantial savings compared to the $12.99 individual rate. While the dynamic QR code makes static screenshots less effective, users have already found workarounds using video calls and multiple devices. This update reflects a broader industry trend among streaming services to limit account sharing and optimize revenue per user.
Sources
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