Brian Retterer
bretterer.com
Brian Retterer
@bretterer.com
Engineering Manager @okta | Father | Husband | PHP/Laravel Developer

KF8BWG
Has anyone else run into this mysterious "automatic protection"? Is there any known fix or escalation path? Or is Spotify really telling paying customers tough luck, buy more stuff, because our system flagged something we won't explain?

#spotify
April 28, 2025 at 9:42 PM
Their advice is basically "buy another plan"? This feels completely unacceptable for a paying customer. I have empty slots I'm paying for!
April 28, 2025 at 9:42 PM
So, Spotify's official stance is that even though I pay for a Family Plan, and accidentally removed a member who lives with me, some secret "automatic protection" means I can't add them back, they can't tell me why, they can't fix it.
April 28, 2025 at 9:42 PM
The "Resolution": When I asked what I'm paying for, if cancelling and restarting the plan would work, or what this "protection" even is, the response was: "Unfortunately, we don't have any further details regarding this. We recommend finding another Premium plan that's right for you."
April 28, 2025 at 9:42 PM
Agent 3: After reviewing, he completely reverts to the original script: "as mentioned previously, we can confirm that you won't be able to invite a new member to your current Family plan. Account is prevented from doing so due to an automatic protection which we can't override."
April 28, 2025 at 9:42 PM
Agent 2 : He seemed more helpful initially. Confirmed my account/plan was fine ("Upon checking as I can see your account is fine and there is no issues on your account."). Asked for confirmation of my email and my daughter's email, seem like he might actually be able to do something. Disconnected
April 28, 2025 at 9:42 PM
Agent 1: After checking, tells me "due to some security reasons she cannot join the plan." Later clarifies: "The account is prevented from doing so due to an automatic protection which we can't override." His suggestion? She should get her own Premium plan or join a different Family Plan.
April 28, 2025 at 9:42 PM
The Saga:

The Problem: Accidentally removed my daughter from the Family Plan. Sent a new invite. She lives with us, same address. Clicking the invite leads to the error mentioned above.

Contact Support: Got connected, explained the situation.
April 28, 2025 at 9:42 PM
I accidentally removed my daughter from our paid Spotify Premium Family plan. She lives in the same house. Now, when she tries to accept the invite,"Find another Premium plan that's right for you". Support says an unexplainable, un-overrideable "automatic protection" prevents her from rejoining
April 28, 2025 at 9:42 PM