The Honking Goose

Am I losing one of the last remaining non-social spaces on the internet?

This content was originally published on Medium (March 28th, 2026) and has been adapted by The Honking Goose platform.

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I have used Spotify since the early 2010s, and I grew up watching the platform evolve alongside me. For a long time, it stayed true to its core purpose as a music streaming service. Over time, it expanded to include podcasts and audiobooks. But now, Spotify has taken a different direction. Did it expand into video? Did it become another TikTok clone? Thankfully, no. Instead, it did something I believe is worse. It introduced intrusive social listening features and turned itself into a WhatsApp clone. Spotify has shifted from a private space for streaming audio and enjoying alone time into something that feels more like a social networking app.

I can’t just turn off my phone, shove it in a drawer, or throw it into the freaking street. Spotify has turned into a chat app, and the messages follow me to my tablet and laptop. I can’t disconnect because what used to be an offline music app has become a messaging hub, and I just want to listen to music without chat.

There are likely ways to disable some of these social networking features, in whole or in part, but they are enabled by default. As a screen reader user, my inputs sometimes take longer. For example, on my iPhone and iPad when VoiceOver is enabled, I have to double tap the screen. That delay creates a window where content can change, leading me to accidentally accept a message request or join a Jam.

In late 2023, Spotify introduced a feature called Jam. At a basic level, it is similar to syncing music across multiple smart speakers, but with an important difference: multiple users can listen together from their own individual devices.

Users can join a Jam in several ways. They may scan a QR code shared by a friend, open a shared link, or be prompted based on physical proximity to others in a Jam, such as being on the same Wi-Fi network or within Bluetooth range.

This proximity-based invitation system is a significant source of frustration for me. I may be prompted to join a Jam at times when I am intentionally trying to disconnect. It also raises practical concerns. For example, how does this feature behave in crowded environments like an airplane, where many people may be using Spotify in proximity? Is there a risk of repeated prompts to join a Jam?

I have also struggled to find a way to fully disable this feature. The Jam-related setting directs users to a “learn more” page rather than providing a clear option to opt out.

This design creates serious accessibility concerns. For screen reader users, repeated or unexpected prompts can interrupt navigation and lead to accidental interactions. More broadly, it can overwhelm users who are sensitive to frequent interruptions, creating an experience that feels cluttered and intrusive rather than controlled and user centered.

It feels coercive, and each new intrusive feature requires me to navigate deeply nested settings menus just to hopefully find a way to turn it off. The worst part is popups that interfere with VoiceOver on Apple iOS devices. A one time prompt to opt into a new feature would be reasonable, but making these features opt out is where I have a serious concern.

In late 2025, Spotify added a messaging platform to its desktop and mobile applications. This feature allows users to chat and share songs and podcasts with one another, supporting both individual and group conversations.

This addition concerns me the most. Even if I put my phone in airplane mode, I can still receive messages through Spotify as long as Wi-Fi is available. While I was able to find a setting to disable this feature, the situation feels similar to Jams. The option to turn it off exists now, but it could be removed in the future if Spotify chooses to prioritize engagement metrics.

I’m considering alternatives like SoundCloud, YouTube Music, and Apple Music, but I’m cautious. I don’t want to trade one version of this problem for another. It feels like I’m not allowed to disconnect from a family group at all or even be alone with my music. I can’t lose myself in it or use it to drown things out. Even with Do Not Disturb on, my phone still breaks through with chat and jam notifications. Spotify may have started this, but others will follow, and anything I choose now could change without warning.

I don’t think this issue will stop at Spotify, or even with music players. Will social features start appearing in the video streaming services I use, in eBook or audiobook apps, in Microsoft Word, or even in my password manager? Where do we draw the line?

Not every app needs to become a social networking platform. I’m usually not one to call for regulation on what developers can and cannot do, but we are at risk of undermining the usability and core purpose of our computers and mobile devices. This trend needs to be addressed before it goes too far.