Spotify takes security ‘precautions’ after breach

Streaming music service says only one user’s information accessed after 'unauthorised access'

Spotify CEO Daniel Ek. The streaming music company said its systems had been compromised, but only one user’s data had been accessed. Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)
Spotify CEO Daniel Ek. The streaming music company said its systems had been compromised, but only one user’s data had been accessed. Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

Streaming music service Spotify has become the latest company to be hit by a security breach as it admitted that it had uncovered "unauthorised access" to its systems.

However, the firm said its investigation had shown only one user’s data had been accessed, and said it was not aware of any increased risk to users as a result of the breach, and said no password, financial or payment information had been accessed.

“As soon as we were aware of this issue we immediately launched an investigation,” a post on the company’s blog by CTO Oskar Stål said.

“We have taken steps to strengthen our security systems in general and help protect you and your data – and we will continue to do so. We will be taking further actions in the coming days to increase security for our users.”

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Users of its Android app will be asked to upgrade their software in the coming days, and offline playlists will have to be re-downloaded, while others will be asked to re-enter login details. The move is a precaution, the company said, and users of its iOS and Windows Phone applications did not need to take action.

Spotify, which launched in Ireland in 2012, does not give details on how many Irish people are currently using its services, but the company currently has around 10 million paying subscribers worldwide, with a total active user base of 40 million.

Ciara O'Brien

Ciara O'Brien

Ciara O'Brien is an Irish Times business and technology journalist