Spotify values user privacy and emphasizes the right to data portability. A Spotify spokesperson stated, “All users can access a copy of their personal data.” However, they also pointed out that UnwrappedData.org violates their Developer Terms by collecting and selling Spotify user data.
Interestingly, the Unwrapped team claims it hasn’t received any communication from Spotify regarding these issues. They intend to defend users’ rights to access and control their own data while respecting Spotify’s status in the music industry.
The developers assert that Unwrapped does not interfere with Spotify or distribute its content. Instead, they provide a platform for users to access their own listening history and preferences. They believe that when listeners share or monetize their data, they are exercising their right to control their information, not taking anything away from Spotify. To say otherwise implies that Spotify owns users’ data, which they reject.
Jacob Hoffman-Andrews from the Electronic Frontier Foundation supports the idea that users should control their data. He notes that an individual’s musical history is valuable not just to Spotify but also to the user. Platforms like Last.fm have long enabled such data portability, showing that this concept isn’t new.
Recent surveys indicate that nearly 80% of users want more control over their data. As concerns about privacy grow, the need for platforms like Unwrapped seems more relevant than ever. Users are increasingly aware of their rights, and the demand for tools that support data ownership is likely to rise.
As discussions about data rights continue, the conversation surrounding user privacy and control will be pivotal in shaping how platforms operate. For more insights on data rights and user control, check out the Electronic Frontier Foundation’s resources here.


















