lipflip – Spotify is investigating an alleged large-scale data scraping incident involving its music catalog, following claims by Anna’s Archive. The group says it accessed extensive Spotify metadata and audio files using unauthorized methods. Spotify confirmed that scraping activity occurred and stated it is actively reviewing the situation.
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The issue surfaced after Anna’s Archive announced its actions publicly on December 20. The group claims it obtained metadata for 256 million tracks available on Spotify. It also says it acquired audio files for approximately 86 million songs. According to the group, this dataset represents 99.6 percent of total Spotify listens.
Spotify emphasized its stance against piracy and unauthorized distribution. The company said it has implemented new safeguards to counter anti-copyright attacks. Spotify also stated it continues to work closely with industry partners to protect artists.
A Spotify spokesperson confirmed the breach involved public metadata and audio access. The spokesperson said a third party scraped metadata and used illicit tactics to bypass digital rights management. The investigation aims to determine the full scope of the incident. Spotify did not confirm whether it detected the activity before Anna’s Archive made its announcement.
Anna’s Archive claims the collected files total roughly 300 terabytes of data. The group stated that popular tracks are stored at 160 kbps quality. Less frequently streamed tracks were compressed to approximately 75 kbps.
The metadata has already been released through torrent links on Anna’s Archive’s website. The group says audio files will be released at a later stage. It also plans to publish additional metadata and album artwork in subsequent releases.
Anna’s Archive stated that releases will follow an “order of popularity.” It says Spotify’s own listening metrics will determine which content appears first. The group argues this method ensures broad coverage across genres and artists.
Spotify Investigation Continues as Preservation Claims Raise Industry Concerns
Spotify confirmed to Billboard that it is actively investigating the unauthorized access. The company has not disclosed whether user data was affected. Spotify’s statements focused on content protection rather than listener information.
The group behind Anna’s Archive framed its actions as preservation-focused. It described the archive as torrents-only for now. The group said individual file downloads may be added if sufficient interest emerges.
Anna’s Archive is already known for large-scale digital preservation efforts. It claims access to more than 61 million books and 95 million academic papers. The group describes itself as the largest open library in human history.
In its explanation, Anna’s Archive said it identified a method to scrape Spotify at scale. The group argued this approach allowed it to build a music archive aimed at long-term preservation. It said existing preservation tools often prioritize only popular artists.
The group also criticized alternatives that rely exclusively on high-quality audio formats. According to Anna’s Archive, such approaches limit archival completeness. It claims its method captures both mainstream and less-heard tracks.
Industry observers note that Spotify’s investigation could have broader implications. Unauthorized access to streaming platforms raises legal and ethical concerns. Record labels and artists remain highly sensitive to large-scale distribution risks.
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Spotify reiterated its commitment to defending creators’ rights. The company said it has stood with the artist community since its founding. Spotify added that ongoing monitoring is in place to detect suspicious behavior.
The outcome of the investigation remains uncertain. Spotify has not indicated potential legal actions or further disclosures. Anna’s Archive has not commented on possible responses from rights holders.
As digital music consumption grows, preservation debates are likely to intensify. Streaming platforms balance access, protection, and longevity. The current case underscores unresolved tensions between preservation claims and copyright enforcement.