Spotify users boycott streaming platform over ICE recruitment ads

https://www.euronews.com/culture/2025/10/22/spotify-users-boycott-streaming-platform-over-ice-recruitment-ads

From military contracts to “Spotify-verified” AI-generated bands, via price hikes and artists speaking out against the platform as “the worst thing that has happened to musicians”, it’s not as if users were at a loss for reasons to ditch the Swedish company.

Now, they’ve got a new one, as subscribers are boycotting the streamer for running a series of recruitment ads courtesy of ICE – the controversial US government agency responsible for carrying out Donald Trump’s policy for mass detention and deportation.

134 points · 9 comments · view on lemmy.world

9 Comments

Marshezezz@lemmy.blahaj.zone · 13 pts · 289d (2 replies)
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Tenderizer@lemmy.ca · -1 pts · 289d (1 reply)

I, and most people, don't really care about artists getting paid. There are always other artists.

Maybe people will make an exception for something they really looking forward to more of, but music generally isn't like that for people. Music is mostly treated as a tool.

Marshezezz@lemmy.blahaj.zone · 5 pts · 288d
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Bustedknuckles@lemmy.world · 11 pts · 289d (3 replies)

This was the straw that got us to cancel our premium plan. We listen to few enough different albums, that it'd save money to just buy it and figure out jellyfin or something

bowreality@lemmy.ca · 9 pts · 289d (1 reply)

Jellyfin is actually quite easy. I am far from a pro and I got it all set up. Movies, tv shows, audiobooks, music. There is a Lemmy group for Jellyfin if you are interested. They helped me find good apps.

Reannlegge@lemmy.ca · 5 pts · 289d

Not that I still use Reddit but I have to remember that Lenny replaces Reddit in much more ways.

AtariDump@lemmy.world · 4 pts · 289d

There’s also plexamp.

I know people love JF, and I get it, but Plexamp has some really nice features (yes, they’re in the paid version, but still nice).

bowreality@lemmy.ca · 9 pts · 289d

Finally. There were several reasons earlier to boycott. In fact I never even used it to start with.

bytesonbike@discuss.online · 6 pts · 289d (1 reply)

Open source alternative Funkwhale is an option.

Cort@lemmy.world · 3 pts · 289d

Any good way to get my Spotify playlists into funk whale?

Tenderizer@lemmy.ca · 4 pts · 289d

The red line for me, aside from being listed on the New York Stock Exchange, was the promotion of AI music. Not because I have a moral objection to AI, but because if someone didn't bother to compose the music then why should I bother listening to it.