Spotify has announced a series of changes that are making waves. Developers using its public API now no longer have access to several essential features, such as song and artist recommendations, algorithm-generated playlists or even in-depth analysis of songs (structure, rhythm, energy, etc.) .
Endgame for some features
According to Spotify, these restrictions are intended to address security concerns. Unofficially, it seems above all that the platform wishes to prevent its data from being used to develop competing tools. In recent years, Spotify has relied heavily on artificial intelligence to enrich the user experience, with products such as a virtual DJ and personalized playlists recently launched in several countries.
A Spotify spokesperson explained that these measures were necessary to respond to abuse by certain developers, accused of collecting sensitive data. But for the community, the problem lies elsewhere. “ It’s not about security or privacy, but about protecting their AI models “, commented a developer on the Spotify forums.
As for third-party developers, it’s a cold shower. Many used these features to create original applications, ranging from music recommendations to artist discovery tools. These projects, often in development for months, are now blocked.
Some also denounce a lack of communication. The changes were announced without notice, taking everyone by surprise. “ With the advent of advanced AI models, they are probably afraid that someone will copy their technology ”, added another developer. Those who have obtained an official partnership or an extension, however, remain spared from these restrictions.
At the same time, Spotify is also waging a war against modified versions of its application, the famous hacked APKs, which provide free access to premium functions. This hunt for pirates has caused disruption among some users, particularly in India, where these apps are particularly popular. At this point, it is difficult to blame Spotify for wanting to protect its business.
With these decisions, Spotify is playing a tricky game. On the one hand, the platform wants to secure its data and establish its lead in the field of artificial intelligence. On the other, it attracts the wrath of third-party developers, who are often a source of innovation.
The trend is not new: Reddit and YouTube have already taken similar measures, limiting access to their APIs. While these choices aim to protect platforms, they also raise questions about openness and collaboration in the ecosystem. At Spotify, it’s clear: the service wants to strengthen its control, even if it means losing a few allies along the way.
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