Spotify denied that its systems had been hacked after users reported Spotify account details appearing on Pastebin in April 2016. The company said it monitored sites such as Pastebin, verified credentials it found and notified affected users. The available reports do not establish where the details came from, how many were genuine or whether Spotify’s systems were the source.
What happened in April 2016
In a Spotify Community post on April 26, a user said someone had used their account and that their email address was being used to find them on Twitter. In a separate Community discussion, another user referred to a TechCrunch report about Spotify credentials appearing online and described an apparent unauthorized addition to their family plan. These are individual accounts of suspicious activity, not independent confirmation of the Pastebin list’s origin or scope.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
Google Play gift code | $15.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
|
Google Play gift code | $50.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
$300 Apple Gift Card—Email Delivery | $300.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
|
Visa Virtual eGift Card | $28.95 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
|
Google Play Physical Gift Card | $50.00 | Buy on Amazon |
On April 26 and 27, Spotify Stars in the Community reproduced a statement attributed to Spotify:
“Spotify has not been hacked and our user records are secure. We monitor Pastebin and other sites regularly. When we find Spotify credentials, we first verify that they are authentic, and if they are, we immediately notify affected users to change their passwords.”
Outdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchWindows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallSpecial offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.#1 Best Overall
Google Play gift code
- No returns and no refunds on gift cards. Good for use on the US Google Play Store only. Terms apply - see below.
- Google Play gift codes can be used on the Google Play Store, the official app store for Android, to purchase apps, games, and more.
- New finds, old favorites, one card. Choose a unique gift card design featuring your favorite games or apps. This card can also be used for anything else on Google Play. There’s something for everyone, so find what’s yours. Go Play.
- To redeem, enter code in the Play Store app or play.google.com.
- Easy to use: With a Google Play gift code, you never have to worry about expiration dates or fees.
The statement was relayed in Community replies, not a direct official release in the sources reviewed. One of the replies also said the Community was not official Spotify support and that its poster was not a Spotify employee.
What the reports do—and do not—show
Credentials associated with Spotify appearing online do not, by themselves, prove that Spotify’s own systems were breached. A person’s report of account activity likewise cannot establish how credentials were obtained or whether the same cause affected other users.
Rank #2
- No returns and no refunds on gift cards. Good for use on the US Google Play Store only. Terms apply - see below.
- Google Play gift codes can be used on the Google Play Store, the official app store for Android, to purchase apps, games, and more.
- New finds, old favorites, one card. Choose a unique gift card design featuring your favorite games or apps. This card can also be used for anything else on Google Play. There’s something for everyone, so find what’s yours. Go Play.
- Easy to use: With a Google Play gift code, you never have to worry about expiration dates or fees.
- Endless games to explore: Find and play old and new favorites – from mind-bending puzzles to epic quests and more.
- Established: Spotify denied a hack in the statement reproduced in the April 2016 Community discussions and said it monitored Pastebin and verified credentials before notifying affected users.
- Not established: The source of the posted information, a verified number of genuine credentials, an affected-account total or evidence that the data came from a Spotify breach.
The Community thread titled “Hundreds of accounts hacked :(” is not proof that hundreds of accounts were compromised; the reviewed sources provide no verified total. Nor do they establish a competing explanation for where the credentials came from.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What to do if your Spotify account looks compromised
Spotify’s current support guidance lists warning signs including an email address or subscription change you did not make, unfamiliar playlists or playback, an unrecognized connected account, login emails you do not recognize, or a password that no longer works. These are present-day recovery recommendations, not evidence about the cause of the 2016 reports.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Rank #3
- For all things Apple - products, accessories, apps, games, music, movies, TV shows, iCloud+, and more.
- Perfect for App Store purchases and subscriptions—get apps, games, music, movies, TV shows, and more.
- The perfect gift to say happy birthday, thank you, congratulations, and more.
- Available in $15 - 500, Card delivered via email or SMS
- Use it for purchases at any Apple Store location, on the Apple Store app, apple.com, the App Store, iTunes, Apple Music, Apple TV, Apple News+, Apple Books, Apple Arcade, iCloud+, Fitness+, Apple One, and other Apple properties in US only
- Reset your password. Choose a strong password you do not use for other accounts.
- Sign out everywhere. Spotify says this can take up to one hour to apply.
- Review connected apps. Remove access for any third-party app you do not recognize or no longer use.
- Contact Spotify support if you cannot access the account.
Spotify’s Safety and Privacy Center also recommends a strong, unique password and cautions that no system is completely secure.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- No returns and no refunds on gift cards. Good for use on the US Google Play Store only. Terms apply - see below.
- Google Play gift cards can be used on the Google Play Store, the official app store for Android, to purchase apps, games, and more.
- To redeem, peel or gently scratch label and enter code in the Play Store app or play.google.com.
- Easy to use: With a Google Play gift card, you never have to worry about expiration dates or fees.
- Endless games to explore: Find and play old and new favorites – from mind-bending puzzles to epic quests and more.
Rank #4
- Visa Virtual eGift Cards are designed for online use only. Gift Cards are subject to Terms and Conditions: a.co/5bw3qXJ
- When you access your Visa Virtual eGift Card for the first time, you’ll need to register your name, address, phone number, and email address via activationspot.com. These details should also be used as your billing address for online purchases, as many merchants require address verification for purchase authorization.
- This Visa Virtual eGift Card is non-reloadable. No cash or ATM access. Visa Virtual eGift Cards are emailed active.
- Funds do not expire but your Visa Virtual eGift Card has a ‘valid thru’ date (9 years from date of purchase). If funds remain after this date has passed, please call the Toll Free number found on your Visa Virtual eGift Card for a replacement card. A one-time purchase fee applies at the time of checkout.
- This item is not eligible for refund, resale, or return. Available for sale within the United States only. Not available to residents of Puerto Rico, Hawaii, New Mexico, South Dakota, West Virginia and the US Virgin Islands.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
