Spotify Investigates Scraping of 86 Million Music Files

An activist group named Anna's Archive claims to have scraped 86 million music files from Spotify, representing approximately 99.6% of all listens on the platform. They also obtained metadata for 256 million tracks, summing up to nearly 300 terabytes of data.

Spotify confirmed the incident, stating that the files taken do not encompass its entire catalog and that they have identified and disabled the user accounts engaged in this unlawful scraping. The group framed their actions as a preservation effort, suggesting that the files would be released via torrents, potentially aiding AI companies in developing technology.

Spotify has since implemented new safeguards and is actively monitoring for suspicious behavior, reiterating its commitment to protecting artists' rights against piracy. Observers note that this incident raises significant concerns about copyright issues, as the music files are intended for unauthorized distribution, contradicting Anna's Archive's preservation claims.

The legal implications of this scraping and its potential impact on the music industry remain uncertain, prompting discussions about the thin line between preservation and piracy.