Spotify drops shared plan members to free tier after seven-day verification failure

Spotify is enforcing its shared subscription rules by requiring members to scan a QR code in person on the plan manager's device. The streaming giant moved to verify users after reports from Music Business Worldwide indicated a tightening of oversight for Family and Duo plans.

The company gave members seven days to complete the address verification. Accounts that missed the window were moved to the free tier. Those users also faced a 12-month block from joining any other Duo or Family plan.

Spotify confirmed the policy in its support documentation. The update followed a wave of user reports on Reddit where members described receiving the new QR code prompts.

The requirement stems from an existing rule that Family plan members must live at the same address. While the policy assumes cohabitation, it creates complications for households with members away at college or working on the road.

The enforcement action may impact families who believed they were using the service as intended. The crackdown is not limited to groups of friends splitting costs, as relatives living apart also face the verification hurdle.

Goldman Sachs analysts identified the issue as a revenue opportunity in their October 15 report, "Music in the Air: 10 Years On." They estimated that a meaningful share of family plan users are friends sharing a plan to reduce costs rather than actual household members.

The report noted that most family plans require members to reside at the same address, but enforcement has been minimal in practice. Spotify's new QR code step addresses the gap between written rules and application.