When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Heres how it works.
It took its time, but Spotify Wrapped 2024 is finally here.
But there is something more sinister under the surface the monumental amount of data collection.
Image: A screenshot from a section of Spotify’s Privacy Policy
Others may not even realise the extent of the correlation between Wrapped and massive data collection.
This is not going to be a lecture.
I’m not going to demand everyone reading deletes Spotify I’m a user myself.
Image: A screenshot from a section of Spotify’s Privacy Policy
So, is there an answer?
How does Spotify Wrapped work and what data does it collect?
Spotify, and subsequentlySpotify Wrapped, collects almost every throw in of personal information it can.
Everything you do on Spotify is tracked.
Every song, artist, playlist, genre, audiobook, and podcast you listen to is recorded.
This all makes sense.
Image: AI Playlists and AI DJ, are now features available to Spotify customers
It helps Spotify make better recommendations, and generally improves the experience.
The majority of the personal information stored by Spotify is provided when you first sign up for an account.
Spotify has also used the collected data for its own Wrapped advertising.
Image: Private listening sessions can be enabled within Spotify’s app
What did you do?"
However users on free plans experience ads at regular intervals all of which can be targeted and personal.
More than just personal data?
Image: In-app screenshot of the Facebook and tailored ad data collection you can disable
As well as usage and user data, Spotify also collects technical data.
Some of these are identifiers that tools such as VPNs can protect you from.
However, Spotify will still be able to see exactly what gear you’re using.
In April 2024, AI technology was expanded to playlists, with the introduction ofAI Playlist.
Yet, there is no mention of the specific interaction between your data and generative AI.
Is there a Bridge Over Troubled Water?
Spotify’s Privacy Policy is over 4,500 words, and will be fairly confusing for the average user.
To delete that personal data, it’s crucial that you close your account."
This is pretty conclusive evidence of what you must do to remove your data from Spotify.
There are some steps you’ve got the option to take to limit the data collected by Spotify.
Private listening mode keeps what you’re listening to and your playlists private.
However, it’s only hidden from your followers, not Spotify itself.
Deep within its Privacy Policy, Spotify details how long your data is retained.
Streaming history is an example of data that is kept “for the life of the account.”
We simply cannot run Spotify or meet our obligations to rights holders without this information."
Should I Stay Or Should I Go?
It comes down to the individual and what you’re comfortable with.
But if you value your personal data, it might be time to Go Your Own Way.
