Spotify forces face-to-face scans

Spotify is now requiring in-person QR code scans to verify residency for Family and Duo plan members. The music streaming giant sent prompts to users demanding they physically scan a code on the plan manager's device. Those who miss the seven-day deadline face immediate consequences. Their accounts drop to the free tier. They also get blocked from joining another multi-user plan for 12 months.

Support documentation confirms the new enforcement step. The move follows user reports on Reddit about receiving the verification prompts. The rule targets a long-standing requirement that all members of a shared plan live at the same address. While the policy is straightforward on paper, it creates friction for households that do not fit a traditional model. College students living away from home and spouses who travel for work often live apart for extended periods.

This crackdown may catch more than just friends splitting the cost. Families using the plans as intended could find themselves in the verification process. The change addresses a gap between written rules and actual enforcement. Spotify has historically been light on checking whether members actually reside together. The new digital check aims to close that loophole.

Financial analysts have watched this issue closely. A Goldman Sachs report dated October 15, titled "Music in the Air: 10 Years On," identified the problem as a revenue opportunity. The report was made available by HITS Daily Double. Analysts estimated that a meaningful share of family plan users are friends rather than household members. They noted that tightening verification offers additional monetization upside.

The report stated that most plans require members to reside at the same address. However, enforcement had been minimal in practice. The new QR code step suggests Spotify is moving to enforce that written rule. The seven-day window gives users a short time to comply. Failure to scan the address-verification code results in the downgrade and the 12-month ban. This marks a shift from passive policy to active digital verification.