Spotify Under Investigation in Türkiye Amidst Bribery Allegations and Regulatory Pressure
Under investigation: Spotify's Turkish editors over bribery claims
Streaming giant Spotify is currently under investigation following bribery allegations related to the formation of local music charts and playlists in Türkiye. The internal probe, initiated in August 2025, was prompted by public complaints from Turkish artists who accused Spotify of bribery, censorship, preferential treatment, and the use of artificial "bot" streams to manipulate rankings.
The Turkish Competition Authority is also conducting a parallel formal inquiry, investigating possible violations of competition law, unfair royalty distribution, and favoritism towards certain artists. Spotify has denied these allegations, stating compliance with all applicable laws and expressing a willingness to cooperate with the ongoing investigation.
The authorities are also examining claims that Spotify has given some musicians greater visibility, engaged in unfair practices in the distribution of royalties, and potentially violated the Law on the Protection of Competition.
In a recent statement, Deputy Culture and Tourism Minister Batuhan Mumcu called for legal action against Spotify, citing the platform's refusal to respond to requests to remove playlists with offensive names and content that disregards Türkiye's religious sensitivities towards the Prophet Mohammed.
The investigation follows mounting criticism from Turkish artists over the lack of transparency in how Spotify's charts are compiled. Many prominent Turkish musicians have voiced frustration over opaque ranking criteria and alleged misconduct, which has led to concerns about the fairness of the platform's local operations.
Despite these challenges, Spotify has emphasised the role it plays in helping artists reach audiences, stating that its service is "pivotal in growing Turkish artists' royalties globally". In 2024, the company paid over TL 2 billion (nearly $50 million) to the local music industry in Türkiye.
As the investigations continue, the future of Spotify's operations in Türkiye remains uncertain. Reports suggest that the company may be reconsidering its presence in the country due to increasing regulatory and political pressure. The situation remains fluid, with potential outcomes including operational changes or even withdrawal from the Turkish market.
The current status is an active internal probe by Spotify into its Türkiye editors alongside an ongoing governmental investigation, with no public final findings yet released.
- In the midst of regulatory pressure and bribery allegations, Spotify's role in the world's business and arts communities is facing scrutiny, particularly in the realm of technology, due to the ongoing investigation in Türkiye.
- The culture of fairness and transparency in Spotify's operations comes under question as the Turkish Competition Authority investigates potential violations of competition law and unfair royalty distribution, impacting the digital arts and technology landscape globally.
