Why I’ve Decided to Boycott Spotify: A Progressive Christian’s Reflection

Why I’ve Decided to Boycott Spotify: A Progressive Christian’s Reflection

As a progressive Christian, my faith calls me to stand for justice, peace, and compassion in every aspect of life — including the choices I make as a consumer. Recently, I was deeply troubled to learn that Spotify’s CEO, Daniel Ek, has invested over a billion dollars into Helsing, a military tech startup developing AI-driven weapons systems. This revelation has sparked outrage among artists and listeners alike, and for me, it was the final straw.

Music has always been a sacred space for community, healing, and resistance. It’s a powerful form of expression that connects us across differences and nurtures empathy. Yet, here we have a company that profits from artists’ work while its leader funds technologies designed for war and destruction. This contradiction is impossible to ignore.

Spotify’s platform, while convenient, has long been criticized for its unfair treatment of artists — paying them poverty wages despite billions in revenue. Now, with its CEO’s direct involvement in military AI, continuing to support Spotify feels like indirectly endorsing violence and injustice.

As a follower of Christ’s teachings on peace and love, I cannot in good conscience contribute to a system that funds war machinery. Instead, I am choosing to support platforms like Bandcamp, where artists receive fairer compensation and where my money goes directly to the creators.

Boycotting Spotify is not just about music; it’s a stand against the militarization of technology and the exploitation of artists. It’s a call to align my values with my actions, to live out my faith in tangible ways.

In light of this, we will slowly be migrating all hosted content away from Spotify to other platforms that better align with our values. Read the full story here.

I encourage fellow listeners and artists to reflect on where their support goes and to consider alternatives that honor creativity, justice, and peace.