Spotify now asks Family Plan members to prove they live with you

Spotify is checking whether Family Plan members really live with the person who runs the plan. The company confirmed this on its third-quarter call with investors. Co-CEO Alex Norström said it is a "routine improvement," not a "crackdown."

What changed

Members now get a notification asking them to verify. The plan manager's phone shows a QR code, which is a square barcode your camera can read. The member scans it with their own phone. Spotify's support documentation describes the steps.

Members have seven days after the notification to finish. If they miss it, they cannot join another Family or Duo plan for 12 months. They would have to pay for an individual plan instead.

Who it affects

The change targets people who split a Family Plan while living apart, such as adult children or friends. It is meant to push more of them onto Spotify's profitable Premium plans. Anyone in that position may need to buy their own plan or arrange a visit within seven days.

Norström said better verification has no end date and will never be finished. It is an ongoing effort. The material does not say how many members are being asked to verify, or how often the prompts will come.