Spotify implements QR code verification for Family Plan users

Spotify is introducing a new verification method for its Premium Family subscription to ensure that all members living under one roof are complying with the service’s household requirements. The company is implementing a dynamic QR code system that requires family members to scan a code displayed on the plan manager’s device to confirm they reside at the same address.

To prevent users from bypassing these rules via screenshots, the QR codes refresh frequently. Reports indicate the system may also utilize Bluetooth to verify device proximity. If a member fails to complete the verification within seven days, they risk losing access to the Family plan and may be prohibited from joining any other Family or Duo plan for 12 months.

Spotify co-CEO Alex Norström described the move during a recent earnings call as a “routine improvement” to strengthen verification methods, noting that Family plans constitute a significant portion of the company’s subscriber base. While the policy aims to curb account sharing among non-residents, it may also impact legitimate users, such as students or traveling family members, who are temporarily away from the primary household.