Spotify, the world’s leading music streaming platform, is facing intense criticism and boycott calls following CEO Daniel Ek’s announcement of a €600m ($702m) investment in Helsing, a German defence startup specialising in AI-powered combat drones and military software.
The move, announced on 17 June, has sparked widespread outrage from musicians, activists and social media users who accuse Ek of funnelling profits from music streaming into the military industry.
Many have started calling on users to cancel their subscriptions to the service.
“Finally cancelling my Spotify subscription – why am I paying for a fuckass app that works worse than it did 10 years ago, while their CEO spends all my money on technofascist military fantasies?” said one user on X.
Balaquina@lemmy.ca 1 month ago
I boycotted them a long time ago when I found out they donated to Trump’s campaign, despite being a Swedish company.
PrivateNoob@sopuli.xyz 1 month ago
Wow didn’t know that.
positiveWHAT@lemmy.world 1 month ago
I also newly started boycotting them for the same reasons. Plus they don’t give enough to the musicians, and support AI music.
3abas@lemm.ee 1 month ago
Been off Spotify since they have Rogan his platform, which contributed to Trump also.
roofuskit@lemmy.world 1 month ago
Highly illegal.
Greg@lemmy.ca 1 month ago
It’s legal through a US subsidiary if the funds come from US operations. The morality is questionable though
vividspecter@aussie.zone 1 month ago
Not to mention giving 100s of millions of dollars to fund Joe Rogan and his extreme right-wing propaganda.
killerscene@lemmy.dbzer0.com 1 month ago
thats when i cancelled as well. this guy seems like such a fucknut
FlashMobOfOne@lemmy.world 1 month ago
Same, took some legwork to get files for my 700-song library, but we did it. Fuck 'em.