Turkey launches Spotify investigation following complaints about explicit playlist content
Streaming giant Spotify is currently under scrutiny in Turkey, with two separate investigations and potential legal actions looming over the company. The Turkish Competition Authority has launched an investigation into Spotify, suspecting that the company's business strategies and operational policies may be creating barriers for competitors, distorting competition in the online music streaming market, and affecting royalty distribution among artists and content creators.
The investigation will also delve into whether Spotify favors certain artists or creators by giving them differential visibility on the platform, which could violate Turkish competition laws by impeding fair market access and undermining rivals' operations. Spotify has maintained that it operates in compliance with all applicable legal standards.
In a separate development, Turkey's Culture and Tourism Ministry has criticised Spotify for hosting content considered offensive to religious figures, government officials, and national values. Deputy Minister Batuhan Mumcu has expressed concern over playlists deemed disrespectful towards Islam, the Prophet Mohammed, and Emine Erdogan, the wife of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Despite repeated warnings, Spotify has reportedly refused to remove such content.
In response, Deputy Minister Mumcu has vowed to personally oversee the process to ensure all violations are addressed and has called for legal action against Spotify. The current status of the situation is that the competition authority's investigation is ongoing, focusing on Spotify’s market conduct and fairness towards competitors and artists. Legal proceedings or actions concerning offensive content are being considered based on Deputy Minister Mumcu's statements.
It is worth noting that Spotify's service in Turkey has played a significant role in growing Turkish artists' royalties globally, with the company having paid over 2 billion Turkish lira ($25 million) to the local music industry since its launch in 2013. Spotify is working towards a swift, constructive resolution with the Turkish Competition Authority.
This dual challenge for Spotify in Turkey involves a formal antitrust investigation regarding alleged anti-competitive practices, and potential legal consequences related to content perceived as offensive to Turkey’s moral, religious, and national values. The graphic shared by Deputy Minister Mumcu highlights playlists referencing either Emine Erdogan or the life of the Prophet Mohammed.
The investigation by the Turkish Competition Authority will examine whether Spotify gives more visibility to certain artists and engages in unfair practices in the distribution of royalties, suspected of violating Turkey's competition law. Turkey has been closely monitoring content on Spotify for a long time, and this is not the first time such concerns have been raised.
Spotify's operations in Turkey are claimed to comply with all applicable laws, although no specific details about the focus or scope of the investigation have been disclosed by the company. This situation underscores the importance of balancing the need for competition in the market with respect for cultural and religious sensitivities.
- The unfolding investigation by the Turkish Competition Authority extends beyond scrutinizing Spotify's market conduct and fairness towards competitors and artists; it also probes whether Spotify favors certain artists or creators, potentially violating Turkish competition laws by impeding fair market access.
- Turkey's Culture and Tourism Ministry's criticism of Spotify encompasses not only the offensive content hosted on the platform but also its impact on Turkish culture and national values, as persistent concerns have been raised regarding playlists deemed disrespectful towards Islam, the Prophet Mohammed, and Emine Erdogan.
