Compliance Inquiry: Apps Violating Spotify's Policy on Mixing & Broadcasting

[canovich]

Hello.

I would like clarification regarding the enforcement of the following policy in the Spotify Developer Terms:

1. Do not create any product or service which includes any non-interactive internet webcasting service. For example, you can’t create an application which plays content from a single source to several simultaneous listeners.
2. Do not create any product or service which is integrated with streams or content from another service.

I’ve noticed that several third-party applications appear to violate this rule by allowing users to queue songs on a main user’s device, effectively creating a shared, non-interactive listening experience (similar to a party broadcast system). These apps seem to enable a form of music broadcasting or shared queue management that may not align with the policy above.

Could you clarify how such apps are operating without enforcement action? Are there specific conditions under which these implementations are allowed?

I appreciate your time and look forward to your response.

Best regards

[Ximzend]

Hi @canovich 

Let's keep conversations open publicly in the Community.

You wrote in a private message:

"I would like clarification on whether my application's functionality complies with Spotify's Developer Policy. My application allows users to add songs to another user's queue (let’s call them "X"). The "X" user must pay $5 per month to use my service. This is primarily intended for private parties or small gatherings where participants contribute to the queue of a single Spotify account. Would this functionality be considered a violation of Spotify’s policies? If so, could you clarify which specific policy it would breach? I appreciate your time and look forward to your response."

This violates at least three rules of the Spotify Developer Policy:

• Do not build products or services that mimic, or replicate or attempt to replace a core user experience of Spotify or its group companies without our prior written permission.
• Some examples of commercial uses that are not allowed include: the sale, whether integrated or as a standalone product, of a Streaming SDA, the Spotify Platform, Spotify Content or Spotify Service, or sale of access to any of the foregoing.
• Don’t artificially increase, or claim to artificially increase, play counts, follow counts or otherwise manipulate the Spotify Service. This includes: (i) using any bot, script or automated process; (ii) by providing any compensation (financial or otherwise); and (iii) any other means.

I hope this answers your question. If you have any other questions, feel free to ask.

[canovich]

I will be replying your answer in this link : https://community.spotify.com/t5/Spotify-for-Developers/Using-Spotify-Player-API-for-a-Jukebox-Renta...)

In the link you shared, especially at that part, for app to be streaming SDA it should include these. But we are just adding song to queue(and we are monetizing of course). Also we are not artificially increasing play counts etc. People are adding songs to Party Owner's play queue. Am i missing something? 

On the other hand there is an article(https://developer.spotify.com/policy#iii-some-prohibited-applications) that says this:

I am really really confused right now.

[Ximzend]

Hi @canovich 

In that case, it may only get rejected on one of the points.

If you think it is allowed, I recommend you to apply for a quota extension.

The reviewers always have the final decision.

Cheers!