"Commercial Considerations"

[Juddalice1]

Under Article 22 of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), I have the right to object to fully automated processing of my personal data, especially when it produces legal effects or significantly affects me. Spotify’s recommendation system fits this description as it substantially influences my listening experience and directly affects my satisfaction as a paying customer.

I believe Spotify’s algorithm should adhere to the transparency, fairness, and accountability standards set by the GDPR. It’s essential that recommendations are based solely on my actual listening habits, free from any external commercial agreements. User satisfaction should be prioritized, with algorithms designed to offer content that reflects individual preferences without bias.

Furthermore, the inclusion of paid placements without clear disclosure raises questions about the handling of my personal data. Spotify must fulfill its GDPR obligations by ensuring that my data is processed securely and with respect for my privacy rights.

I’m requesting immediate action to address these concerns, including the implementation of a clear opt-out option for algorithmic recommendations influenced by commercial interests. I trust that Spotify, as a leader in the music streaming industry, values user feedback and is committed to providing an exceptional experience for its subscribers.

Per Article 12 of the GDPR, I expect a response to this complaint within 30 days. If these issues are not adequately addressed, I may escalate the matter to the relevant data protection authorities.

[matan1]

I am also interested in this. Please keep us updated as you hear back from Spotify. 

[Juddalice1]

Haven't gotten a reply yet.

[Juddalice1]

Still no response

[Dessi]

Hello @Juddalice1,

Apologies for the delay!

We can confirm that the relevant team will reach out to you via email with more information about your query.

Take care.

[_asha_]

I have this same question.

[matan1]

I received the following response from Spotify (below). I consider this response extremely unsatisfactory as it does not address our concern: what are the "commercial considerations" influencing Spotify's music and podcast recommendations? I am considering leaving the service and suggest others do the same. 

Dear customer,

Thank you for reaching out to us. 

We take questions about personal data very seriously and your query has been escalated from Spotify’s customer support to us, the Data Protection Team at Spotify. 

We understand that you would like information around the Spotify recommendation system, as per your comment on our Community page. Spotify is a personalised streaming service where each user’s experience is unique and personal to that user. This is an intrinsic part of our service, built into the core infrastructure of how Spotify operates and can’t be removed.

For more information on how we do personalization recommendations please see the Understanding Recommendations section in Spotify’s Safety and Privacy Centre.

Kind regards, 

The Data Protection Team at Spotify