Opening the app with a VPN enabled deletes downloaded content

[Olllyyyj]

Plan

Premium

Country

UK

Device

iPhone X

Operating System

iOS 16.2

My Question or Issue

I often use a VPN for security reasons, like when connected to public WiFi. Recently I've noticed that when I open the Spotify app with my VPN enabled, it refuses to play songs (no error codes, it just doesn't play), and it swiftly starts deleting my downloaded playlists and albums, including local files, which is a massive issue. Whilst I understand not allowing users to download new content while a VPN is enabled (for licensing issues ect.), there is no justification to deleting the extensive library (1000+ songs) I've downloaded just because I have a VPN enabled. It's especially problematic when it deletes my local files (which it does often), as I can't just re-download them unless I'm at my desk. Why does this happen, and is there any way I can stop it? 
(Stop using a VPN / use offline mode are not solutions, they are mere band-aids that don't tackle the heart of the issue)

[Lyubka]

Hey @Olllyyyj,

Thanks for reaching out about this in the Community.

VPNs can cause issues such as the one you had experienced. They can mask the real IP address and device that is being used to access your account. Usually a VPN also switches between multiple IPs from different locations.

A lot of sites and services will either block known VPN IPs or can be a reason to trigger security protocols based on location and device access. In other words, using a VPN can make the security system think that your account is being accessed by multiple unknown locations.

Spotify does not currently block VPN usage, but we also do not support it and we can't guarantee that the service would work as expected when using one. We also don't have an explanation for what is going on on your end while your VPN is enabled. 

You may not consider this a solution, but if you'd like the Spotify app to have a steady performance - you'll have to turn off the VPN. 

Hope this clear things up. 

Cheers!

[zinkith]

This same thing happens to me. Downloaded local files get removed from my phone when I open Spotfiy with a VPN connected, which is unacceptable. I tend to use my VPN when I am away from home which is the SAME TIME I am using Spotify on my phone obviously. This only started happening in the past couple months, so Spotify changed something to have less or worse features. Please do not remove files that are downloaded to the device.