Spotify says users can export their data, but its developer terms forbid third‑party aggregation, resale, and AI/ML use—effectively blocking user collectives from monetizing or building rival tools. The Unwrapped/Vana sale (≈10,000 users, $55,000 to Solo AI) shows portability without market access becomes a dead end once platform contracts intervene. This creates a legal gray zone for 'data unions' despite nominal portability rights.
— It reframes data rights debates by showing portability is hollow without enforceable rights to redirect, aggregate, and license data to third parties, especially for AI training.
EditorDavid
2025.09.14
52% relevant
By requiring Microsoft to open key APIs for interoperability and enable data export from Teams for five years, the European Commission is directly addressing how platforms can undermine portability—showing a regulatory move to make portability real rather than nominal.
BeauHD
2025.09.12
100% relevant
Spotify’s letter citing trademark and Developer Terms violations against Unwrapped after the collective sold a small portion of user data (artist preferences) for $55,000, yielding about $5 per user.
← Back to All Ideas