Company Directory - Spotify
Company Details - Spotify
Spotify
Spotify is a digital music streaming service that provides access to millions of songs and podcasts. It offers personalized recommendations and curated playlists, and it has increased its global brand presence through initiatives such as becoming the naming sponsor of the Camp Nou stadium.
CCI Score
CCI Score: Spotify
-20.38
0.01%
Latest Event
Spotify Fights Digital Authoritarianism Through Free Media
Spotify’s podcast episode 'Fighting Back Against Digital Authoritarianism' underscores how the platform uses its digital media capabilities to challenge censorship and empower free speech, thereby pushing back against authoritarian trends in technology and media. This stance aligns with democratic, anti-authoritarian values, representing a positive corporate engagement in digital political discourse.
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ACCOMPLICE
Spotify is currently rated as an Accomplice.
Latest Events
- FEB192025
Spotify’s podcast episode 'Fighting Back Against Digital Authoritarianism' underscores how the platform uses its digital media capabilities to challenge censorship and empower free speech, thereby pushing back against authoritarian trends in technology and media. This stance aligns with democratic, anti-authoritarian values, representing a positive corporate engagement in digital political discourse.
+80
Media Influence and Propaganda
March 20
By producing and promoting a podcast episode that confronts digital authoritarianism, Spotify demonstrates a commitment to using its media platform to support free media and counter repressive practices. This effort bolsters democratic discourse and resists authoritarian narratives within the digital space, earning a high score in the 'Media Influence and Propaganda' subcategory of Technology and Services Impact.
Fighting Back Against Digital Authoritarianism - Great Power Podcast
- FEB062025
Analysis of Spotify's political contributions of $182,126 and lobbying expenditures of $2,040,000, along with its revolving door practices, which raise concerns about undue political influence that may facilitate authoritarian policies.
-40
Public and Political Behavior
March 20
Spotify's reported political contributions and substantial lobbying spending, combined with significant revolving door dynamics (with many lobbyists having previously held government positions), are indicative of corporate practices that may unduly influence policy-making in ways that favor authoritarian agendas. This intertwining of corporate and government interests is problematic from an anti-fascist perspective.
- JAN302025
Spotify's $150,000 donation to Trump's inauguration and controversial artist royalty practices have sparked boycott calls and raised concerns over the company's political and ethical commitments.
-35
Business Practices and Ethical Responsibility
March 20
In addition to its political donation, Spotify is under fire for its handling of artist royalties, with critics accusing the platform of exploiting creators through low compensation, which further exacerbates concerns about its ethical business practices.
Spotify Faces Boycott Calls Over Royalties, Trump Inauguration Donation
-65
Public and Political Behavior
March 20
Spotify's donation of $150,000 to Trump’s inauguration is seen as support for an authoritarian figure, which has spurred significant backlash on social media and among artists. This political contribution is viewed as aligning with authoritarian initiatives and undermines democratic accountability.
Spotify Faces Boycott Calls Over Royalties, Trump Inauguration Donation
- JAN202025
Spotify donated $150,000 to US President Donald Trump's inauguration fund and hosted a celebratory brunch, a move that signals direct financial support for an authoritarian political agenda and raises concerns about the company's complicity in undermining democratic norms.
-70
Political Contributions and Lobbying Efforts
March 20
The donation to Trump's inauguration fund, accompanied by a high-profile political event, reflects a purposeful use of corporate resources to gain influence in political capitals. Such contributions are viewed as alignment with authoritarian practices, thereby contributing to concerns of corporate complicity in the rise of fascism.
Spotify reportedly donated $150,000 to US President Donald Trump's Inauguration
- DEC312024
Spotify spent $2,040,000 on lobbying in 2024, raising concerns about the company's active political influence which may support authoritarian agendas. This level of expenditure highlights potential corporate complicity in undermining democratic processes.
-40
Political Contributions and Lobbying Efforts
March 20
Spotify's reported spending on lobbying in 2024 indicates a significant engagement in political lobbying efforts. From an anti-fascist perspective, such activity can be seen as contributing to the entrenchment of corporate influence over politics, thereby indirectly supporting authoritarian practices.
- OCT142024
Spotify has come under criticism for rejecting union proposals to negotiate a collective agreement regulating night work. The Swedish Work Environment Authority cited the company for unauthorized night work, and unions argue that the decision undermines established labor protections, reflecting a broader disregard for worker rights.
-60
Labor Relations and Human Rights Practices
March 20
Spotify's refusal to negotiate with the unions over night work policies—despite facing citation from the Swedish Work Environment Authority—demonstrates a flagrant disregard for fair labor practices. This decision, which prioritizes corporate flexibility and cost-cutting over worker safety and rights, contributes to a broader pattern of undermining labor protections and can be interpreted as facilitating authoritarian-aligned business practices.
Spotify’s night work controversy could be solved by negotiating with workers
- AUG142024
Spotify has significantly ramped up its lobbying efforts by hiring new firms to handle music licensing and royalty disputes, a move seen as an attempt to influence policy in favor of corporate interests at the expense of fair compensation for artists.
-40
Political Contributions and Lobbying Efforts
March 20
Spotify’s recent hiring of multiple lobbying firms and record-high lobbying expenditures, as reported by Politico, indicate a deliberate effort to influence music licensing policies and royalty regulations. This move is concerning from an anti-fascist perspective because it represents the use of corporate power to shape policy in ways that may undermine democratic accountability and fair treatment for artists.
Spotify, music publishers lobby up amid royalties fight - POLITICO
- MAR082024
WGA East members at Spotify Studios and The Ringer have reached tentative collective bargaining agreements that include improved wages and protections against AI. Despite previous layoffs attributed to restructuring decisions by Spotify leadership, the successful union negotiations marked a positive development for worker rights and union solidarity.
+85
Labor Relations and Human Rights Practices
March 20
The article details a positive shift in labor relations at Spotify, as unionized workers secured gains in wages and protections, including safeguards against AI misuse. While the event also highlights earlier layoffs and restructuring decisions, the successful union negotiations are a strong indicator of improved worker rights, aligning with anti-fascist and pro-labor principles.
WGA East Members at Spotify Studios and The Ringer Reach Tentative Agreements With Spotify
- NOV172023
An investigation reported by The Guardian as covered by Hypebot alleges that Spotify profited from carbon credits sourced from a project at risk of involving Uyghur forced labor, raising serious concerns about its supply chain ethics and corporate accountability in relation to human rights abuses.
-80
Supply Chain Ethics
March 20
Spotify has been implicated in profiting from carbon credits derived from the Bachu carbon project in Xinjiang, which has been linked to potential Uyghur forced labor. This involvement directly undermines ethical supply chain practices, as the project’s association with forced labor raises serious human rights concerns. The company's transition away from these credits in 2020, following increased scrutiny and legislative action, does little to erase its prior complicity in supporting exploitative labor practices.
Spotify profits from Uyghur forced labor, alleges The Guardian
- NOV132023
Investigative report reveals that Spotify purchased carbon credits from a project linked to forced labor camps in Xinjiang, China, raising serious ethical concerns regarding labor practices and the integrity of its supply chain.
-50
Labor Relations and Human Rights Practices
March 20
Spotify's involvement in purchasing carbon credits that are linked to forced labor camps in Xinjiang represents a serious breach in ethical labor practices. The forced labor of Uyghur Muslims implicated in this project raises significant human rights concerns and reflects poorly on the company's commitment to fair labor relations.
Spotify Carbon Credits Purchase Linked to Forced Labor Camps
-50
Supply Chain Ethics
March 20
The acquisition of carbon credits from a project tainted by associations with forced labor camps highlights serious shortcomings in supply chain ethics. Spotify's involvement, even if indirect, suggests a lack of due diligence in vetting the ethical implications of its environmental initiatives.
Spotify Carbon Credits Purchase Linked to Forced Labor Camps
- AUG102023
Spotify withdrew from collective bargaining negotiations in Sweden following significant layoffs and subsequent union formation among its employees. This move has raised concerns over the company’s labor practices and its commitment to upholding workers' rights.
-60
Labor Relations and Human Rights Practices
March 20
Spotify's decision to withdraw from collective bargaining negotiations in Sweden, especially after a significant layoff and subsequent unionization of a sizable portion of its workforce, reflects poor labor relations. This action undermines workers' rights and sends a negative signal regarding the company's ethical responsibility towards its employees, which is concerning from an anti-fascism standpoint.
- APR192023
On April 19, 2023, Spotify founder and CEO Daniel Ek met with members of Congress and the Biden administration in Washington, D.C. to advocate for the Open App Markets Act, a legislative proposal aimed at curbing the market dominance exerted by companies like Apple over app store ecosystems. This lobbying effort reflects active executive political engagement intended to foster fair competition and reduce anti‑competitive practices.
+70
Political Contributions and Lobbying Efforts
March 20
Spotify's CEO is directly engaging in lobbying efforts by actively promoting legislation (the Open App Markets Act) designed to counter monopolistic practices. This action is seen as favoring open competition and is aligned with anti-authoritarian values, thereby earning a positive rating in the Public and Political Behavior category, specifically under Political Contributions and Lobbying Efforts.
+70
Executive Political Engagement
March 20
Daniel Ek’s active role in direct political engagement underscores his commitment to influencing public policy for a more equitable tech marketplace. His executive political engagement is positively viewed as it works to dismantle monopolistic control rather than support authoritarian practices.
- MAR152022
Spotify's sponsorship deal with Barcelona, marked by the renaming of Camp Nou and a lucrative multi-year agreement, draws attention to longstanding controversies including alleged underpayment of artists and the platform's facilitation of misleading content. These issues raise questions about Spotify’s broader ethical business practices and its role in economically influencing public cultural spaces.
-40
Labor Relations and Human Rights Practices
March 20
The article highlights criticism surrounding Spotify’s business practices, notably accusations of underpaying artists and vague privacy policies. These ethical concerns are significant from a labor relations perspective, suggesting exploitative practices that align with authoritarian economic behavior.
-30
Media Influence and Propaganda
March 20
Spotify has been criticized for its role in propagating misleading information on its platform, particularly through controversial podcasts like Joe Rogan's. This contributes to a negative impact in the realm of media influence and propaganda, undermining democratic discourse.
-20
Economic Collaboration
March 20
The sponsorship deal, while commercially successful, illustrates Spotify’s growing influence in global cultural and economic arenas. By embedding its brand into an iconic sports venue and capitalizing on Barcelona's financial vulnerabilities, Spotify reinforces economic collaboration that may undermine local autonomy and contribute to broader authoritarian economic practices.
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