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Intro

Imagine your favorite song playing on Spotify—the rhythm, the lyrics, the melody. Now, imagine your personal data playing to a different tune. In 2020 popular music streaming platform Spotify experienced a significant data breach. The personal information of 300,000 to 350,000 customers was exposed. Fast forward to July 2022, another breach occurred. This time, even more personal data was stolen. But the breaches didn’t stop there. A series of incidents followed, each one revealing more customer data. This is not just a story of data breaches; it’s a wake-up call for digital security. Let’s dive into the details.

Spotify Data Breaches Explained

What Happened?

In 2020, data of 300,000 to 350,000 Spotify customers was made public. This information contained users’ names, phone numbers, email addresses, passwords, dates of birth, location data, device information, and music preferences. 

The password, payment details, and personal information were taken from personal accounts in the second hack, which occurred in July 2022. A Russian-language forum post from December 2023 stated that someone had access to a database that held millions of Spotify customers’ personal data. According to reports, the individual got the data from 2023 and was trying to sell it for money. After looking over the claim, Spotify verified the authenticity of the data. The data came from an earlier incident that had already been fixed, the business said.

Timeline

  • 2024 (January): Spotify’s leak discovery. A user discovers and reports another Spotify data leak on a Russian-language forum. Spotify confirms the data is authentic and originates from the 2020 breach.
  • 2023 (December): Multiple Incidents at Spotify. A series of reports emerge on a Russian-language forum, including a claim of access to a database with millions of Spotify users’ personal information and an individual user’s discovery of their personal details (name, birth date, and phone number) being exposed. Spotify investigates, confirms the data’s authenticity, and determines it originates from a previously addressed older breach.
  • 2023 (March): The personal information of almost 44 million Spotify customers is made public. It happened due to a data breach at a third-party marketing firm that collaborated with the streaming service.
  • 2023 (February): The personal information of almost 14 million Spotify customers was compromised by a data breach at a marketing firm that collaborated with the music streaming service.
  • 2022 (October): 72 million accounts have been compromised. The personal information of over 72 million Spotify customers was compromised by a data breach at a social media influencer marketing business that collaborated with the music streaming service.
  • 2022 (September): 51 million accounts have been compromised. About 51 million consumers’ personal information was compromised by a data breach at a rival music streaming service to Spotify.
  • 2022 (August): 32 million accounts have been compromised. The personal information of some 32 million users was made public due to a data breach at a music licensing business that collaborated with Spotify.
  • 2022 (July): Series of Hacking Incidents Involving Spotify Users. Spotify faces multiple security threats, including a credential stuffing assault targeting specific users, where hackers attempted to access accounts using previously breached usernames and passwords. Spotify confirms these attacks and implements measures to strengthen its security.
  • 2022 (June): 23 million have been compromised. About 23 million customers’ personal information was compromised by a data breach at a music distribution business that collaborated with Spotify.
  • 2022 (May):  14 million accounts have been compromised. The personal information of some 14 million customers was compromised by a data breach at a manufacturer of music streaming devices that collaborated with Spotify.
  • 2022 (April): 7 million accounts have been compromised. The personal information of almost 7 million customers was compromised by a data breach at a podcasting service that collaborated with Spotify.
  • 2022 (January): Integrated Spotify music app has leaked data. Approximately 4 million customers’ personal information was compromised by a data breach at a music discovery app that integrated with Spotify.
  • 2020 (November): Spotify experienced its biggest data leak. A misconfigured Elasticsearch cloud database containing user passwords led to the discovery of the personal information of approximately 300,000 to 350,000 subscribers online. This significant breach was first identified by vpnMentor, a cybersecurity firm, which alerted Spotify. Following the discovery, Spotify publicly acknowledged the breach and confirmed the number of affected user accounts. In response to this security incident, Spotify took prompt action by resetting the passwords for all accounts impacted by the leak.

Will there be a compensation?

It’s common for large-scale data breaches to result in compensation for affected individuals. The exact Spotify settlement amount may vary based on factors like the user’s location and the extent of the data breach.

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Am I Affected?

If you were affected, you should receive a data breach notification letter within 72 hours of its discovery. But, there have already been cases when these notices don’t get sent out at all, either as part of a cover-up to protect the company’s image or to avoid identifying users who might be entitled to compensation. So in case of a data leak, it’s a smart move to fill out the form and join the claim regardless. 

What To Do?

Whether you believe you were affected or are just exploring your options, you can quickly and easily check your eligibility and compensation amount with our quick data breach checker. In under two minutes, you’ll know how much money you can get and will be able to claim compensation. Give it a try!

Legal Proceedings and Spotify Settlement

Spotify has faced several data privacy legal battles over the years, primarily related to consent, notice, and sale of user data.

In Europe, the French data protection regulator (CNIL) fined Spotify €1.6 million in 2021 for breaking the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). According to the CNIL, Spotify did not properly get users’ authorization before processing their personal data, which included location and listening history. In addition, Spotify paid a fine for not giving customers enough information about how their data was being utilized.

The next year, a group of users filed a lawsuit against Spotify in California, claiming that the corporation had broken the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA). According to the lawsuit, Spotify did not give customers enough information about its data practices or an option to opt out of having their personal data sold. In 2023, Spotify and the plaintiffs reached a settlement in which both agreed that Spotify would have to pay $70 million and modify its data policies.

Child Privacy

In 2022, Spotify was also sued by a group of parents who alleged the company had collected and used personal data from children without their parents’ consent. The lawsuit claimed that Spotify had violated the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA). Spotify denied the allegations, and the case is still pending.

Negotiation and Court Approval

Settlement negotiations typically involve the parties involved, their legal counsel, and in some cases, mediators or arbitrators. The court plays a role in approving settlements, ensuring that they are fair and reasonable and comply with relevant laws and regulations.

In the case of Spotify’s settlement with the French data protection authority, the CNIL approved the settlement after considering the parties’ arguments and the findings of an independent expert. In the case of Spotify’s settlement with the California class action lawsuit, the court appointed a special master to review the settlement and make recommendations to the court. The court ultimately approved the settlement after considering the special master’s report and other evidence.

How to Claim Spotify Compensation

If you want to get compensation for the data breach, you need to join a group lawsuit, also known as a class action. When you do this, you’ll work with a financial litigation partner who handles everything for you. That is us! Your task is just to apply and then wait to get money

Remunzo handles all the hard work. We set up the lawsuit and take the corporation to court for you. Corporations don’t want to pay money easily, but Remunzo will fight hard to get your settlement payout. When joining thousands of others in a lawsuit like this, the corporation is more likely to pay and the settlement payment amount per person i.e. how much will you get tends to be higher.

Remunzo will keep you updated about the settlement status. But you need to be patient because it can take months till the settlement payments are done and you get paid

Quickly check your eligibility and compensation amount with our simple data leak checker. In under 2 minutes, you’ll know how much money you can get and will be able to claim compensation. Give it a try!

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Claim your data breach compensation! Fill out our simple form in two minutes and discover your potential payout.

Impact of the Spotify Data Breach on Users

Spotify is more and more often criticized for its data practices. The company has been accused of collecting too much data about its users and not being transparent enough about how it uses it. As The Verge said, the streaming platform giant has been criticized for sharing users’ personal data with third parties without their consent, sharing it with the government without a warrant, and using it for purposes not specified in its privacy policy.

Spotify’s Response and Changes in Data Security

Spotify has faced significant criticism following a series of data breaches that exposed the personal information of millions of users. In response, the company has pledged to implement stricter security measures and enhance its data protection practices. As they said, “We are committed to creating a fair and equitable platform for artists, and that includes ensuring that our payouts are based on genuine listening. Our new policies will help to combat streaming fraud and noise content, and we believe that they will ultimately benefit both artists and listeners.”

Despite criticism over its handling of user data, Spotify has announced plans to offer users free credit monitoring services. While these measures represent a step in the right direction, they may not be enough to fully restore users’ trust. Spotify will need to continue to demonstrate its commitment to data security and privacy in order to regain the confidence of its millions of users.

Future Implications and Impact on the Industry

Spotify’s data breaches and subsequent settlements have had a significant impact on the company and the broader tech industry. The breaches have eroded users’ trust in Spotify and other tech companies and have led to calls for stricter data privacy regulations.

The mismanagement of user data by internet businesses is a trend that includes the Spotify data breaches. Numerous high-profile instances of data breaches at corporations like Facebook, Google, and Apple have occurred in recent years. The ethics of data gathering and the capacity of digital corporations to secure user information have come under scrutiny due to these breaches.

Other Famous Incidences of Privacy Breaches

Spotify is not the only one that had its data stolen. Hundreds of other companies have faced or will face data breaches in the future. Therefore, we strongly suggest using our Compensation Calculator. This tool will help you find out how many compensation claims you are eligible for and how much money you might get—and we can help you easily get it.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Spotify has faced significant challenges regarding data privacy, including multiple breaches and legal battles. These incidents have led to fines and settlements, highlighting the importance of proper consent and transparency in data handling. The company has pledged to improve security measures and data protection practices, aiming to regain users’ trust. However, ongoing efforts will be necessary to fully restore confidence in Spotify’s commitment to user privacy and security.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to minimize or prevent Data breach impact?

Using virtual payment cards with spending limits and unique email addresses for different services can greatly reduce the risks of data breaches. Disposable virtual cards protect your financial details, while custom email addresses (like “yourname+service@gmail.com”) help identify compromised services. These strategies add security layers, minimizing the impact of breaches on your personal and financial data.

What to do after a data breach?

In case of a data breach, promptly change your passwords on the affected accounts, making them strong and unique. Activate two-factor authentication for added security. Monitor your financial statements and credit reports for any unusual activity. Alert your bank or credit card provider about potential fraud. Be cautious of phishing scams following the breach and consider a credit freeze. Finally, report the incident to the appropriate authorities.

What is a Data breach notice?

A data breach notice is an official alert sent by an organization to individuals whose personal data, including potentially compromised passwords, may have been exposed in a security breach. Such a notice can often follow warnings from services like Apple or Google indicating that “this password appeared in a data leak.” It details the nature of the breach, affected data types, potential risks, and the organization’s remedial actions. The notice advises on protective measures, such as changing passwords and monitoring credit reports to mitigate harm.

Can I sue, and how to join a class action lawsuit?

Yes, you can sue for a data breach. With Remunzo, joining an active class action lawsuit is easy. Check your eligibility on our platform, and if your case is active, you can join the lawsuit. Remunzo handles all legal proceedings and negotiations for a settlement. These processes can take some time, but we keep you updated throughout. Use our Quick Data Leak Checker to see if you qualify to join and claim compensation.

When will I get paid the data breach settlement?

The time it takes to receive a data breach settlement payment varies, often taking several months after a settlement is reached. Factors like case complexity, number of claimants, and legal procedures affect the timeline. Remunzo will keep you informed about the settlement progress, but patience is key as these processes can be lengthy.

Sources

  1. Heiligenstein MX. TikTok Data breaches: Full timeline through 2023 [Internet]. Firewall Times. 2023. Available from: https://firewalltimes.com/tiktok-data-breach-timeline/ 
  2. Bitdefender. Silviu STAHIE. October 4, 2021. Spotify Hit with a Credential Stuffing Attack with Data from Another Breach. https://www.bitdefender.com/blog/hotforsecurity/spotify-hit-with-a-credential-studding-attack-with-data-from-another-breach/
  3. Spotify. January 9, 2024. Think your account’s been hacked? https://support.spotify.com/us/article/hacked-account-help/
  4. MUSIC BUSINESSES ONLINE. MURRAY STASSEN. March 24, 2021. SPOTIFY SETTLES LAWSUIT WITH PRO MUSIC RIGHTS FOUNDER WHO SOUGHT OVER $1BN IN DAMAGES. https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/spotify-settles-with-pro-music-rights-founder-who-sought-over-1bn-in-damages/
  5. The Daily Swig. Adam Bannister. January 9, 2024. Spotify security vulnerability exposed personal data to business partners. https://portswigger.net/daily-swig/spotify-security-vulnerability-exposed-personal-data-to-business-partners

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