Music streaming behemoth Spotify wants to pull the plug on 'misuse' of family plan sharing - once again. Spotify has reportedly made some new additions to their terms and conditions. It seems like Spotify's definition of 'family' comprises of people who reside at the same address. Spotify was recently spotted verifying the address those sharing the same plan. So, if you are a primary account holder and are sharing your Spotify plan with your family, you and everyone else on the plan might have to show proof that you all reside at the same address.

Address verification

Henceforth, Spotify will likely ask users sharing the same plan to confirm their address from “time to time”. This is not the first time that Spotify is trying to verify the address of those on the same plan. Last year, Spotify sent out a similar warning, asking users to confirm their exact GPS coordinates. Shortly after privacy concerns were raised, Spotify stopped their tests. More details are awaited as to how Spotify's latest attempt to verify family plan users will be different.

Spotify was the most-downloaded music app worldwide July 2019: Report

Spotify's shared family plan costs $15. Spotify allows up to six users to access the shared family plan. However, Spotify notes that their shared family plan is only for “family members residing at the same address.” The company will likely ask new users to verify their address using Google Maps. Spotify also notes that it “may from time to time ask for re-verification” of your home address using Google Maps. Spotify can also terminate or suspend your family plan if you fail or refuse to verify your address using Google Maps.

Spotify now providing three-month free access to its Premium service

'Spotify, the most downloaded music streaming app...'

It remains to be seen to what extent Spotify wants to force their users into sharing their address. Another reason why Spotify is asking users to verify their address is to crack down on accounts bypassing Spotify's geographical restrictions. In July, Spotify became the most-downloaded music streaming app worldwide, as per the Sensor Tower report. Following Spotify, YouTube Music secured second place in terms of downloads. Indian music streaming like Gaana and Wynk Music also made it to the list of top 10 most downloaded music streaming apps for July.