Spotify Introduces QR Code Verification to Enforce Family Plan Residency Rules

Spotify co‑CEO Alex Norström announced on the company’s earnings call that the streaming giant is rolling out a QR‑code verification system to ensure Family Plan subscribers actually live together. The new method requires the plan manager to scan a code on each member’s phone, a step that Spotify says will help detect and prevent abuse of the plan’s six‑account limit. Norström described the change as a "routine improvement" rather than a crackdown, noting that the Family Plan has been part of Spotify’s lineup for roughly 12–13 years and represents a sizable portion of its subscription offerings. The QR‑code check will be implemented across the platform, with the company monitoring compliance and adjusting enforcement as needed.