Spotify Threatens Hacked App Users With Suspension As Practice Spreads

There are no stats as to how many of Spotify's 159 million active users are accessing the music streamer with a hacked app or account. But judging from forum comments, its not a small problem. As it prepares for its first public stock offering, Spotify is moving aggressively to curb these unauthorized users.

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In recent days, Spotify has been contacting users of hacked, modified or unauthorized apps and disabling their accounts. "We detected abnormal activity on the app you are using so we have disabled it," writes Spotify. "Don’t worry – your Spotify account is safe."

Many unauthorized or modified apps appear to make paid Premium features available to free users. Approximately 88 million users access Spotify using its free ad-supported service, and another 71 million pay for Premium access.

Half A Million Would-Be Spotify Account Hackers?

Hacking Spotify appears to be widespread, with easily found YouTube videos showing how to hack the music streamer logging more than 500,000 cumulative views.

Here are two examples:

Spotify's solution?

"To access your Spotify account, simply uninstall any unauthorized or modified version of Spotify and download and install the Spotify app."

And unauthorized users might want to heed Spotify's advice. “If we detect repeated use of unauthorized apps in violation of our terms, we reserve all rights, including suspending or terminating your account,” warns the streamer.