Why are people boycotting Spotify?
ALBAWABA - Popular music streaming service Spotify has stirred controversy and boycott calls over the past couple of days due to a recent investment made by its CEO, Daniel Ek.
Things escalated when reports revealed that Ek recently invested $700 million in Helsing, a German AI company that develops software to enhance military and other equipment. His recent transaction sparked outrage on social media, with many human rights activists calling for a boycott while cancelling their subscriptions.
According to Middle East Monitor, several artists also urged for a boycott, with some taking their music down from the platform, including American indie-rock band Deerhoof. The band responded to the Eks' investment and said, "We don't want our music killing people."
Not only has Spotify been covertly pushing AI artists to 'reduce royalty payments' to real human artists — that extra profit is now being poured into an 'AI military startup' that will profit off bombing babies.
You don't hate these people enough. 😡 pic.twitter.com/VDpK3gPcX4 — James Li (@5149jamesli) June 29, 2025
Moreover, many music content creators, such as Fantano, urged their viewers to do the same, with many of his followers providing Spotify users with alternatives such as Apple Music, Tidal, Deezer, and Bandcamp.
A few pushed for the purchase of physical media from artists, claiming that it supports them more than what they get from streaming platforms.
Indepandant journalist, James Lee took to X (formerly known as Twitter) and wrote, "Not only has Spotify been covertly pushing AI artists to 'reduce royalty payments' to real human artists — that extra profit is now being poured into an 'AI military startup' that will profit off bombing babies."
Another wrote, "This is appalling. People should cancel their Spotify subscriptions immediately."
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