# Spotify cracks down on account sharing

> Spotify's new verification checks could force family plan users to face ads or a 12-month ban.
- Title: Spotify cracks down on account sharing · Dexerto | Shortify
- Summary: Spotify's new verification checks could force family plan users to face ads or a 12-month ban. Spotify requires family plan members to verify addresses via…
- Keywords: spotify, family plan, premium subscription, qr code, account sharing, ads, 12-month ban, gaming, sports, cracks, account, sharing
- Source: Dexerto — https://dexerto.com/entertainment/spotify-cracks-down-on-account-sharing-as-unverified-users-face-ads-and-12-month-ban-3420439
- Author: Michael Gwilliam
- Published: 2026-10-20T14:38:43+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: spotify, family plan, premium subscription, qr code, account sharing, ads, 12-month ban, gaming, sports
## Spotify introduces address verification
Spotify requires family plan members to verify addresses through QR codes to confirm household sharing.
## QR codes refresh every few seconds
The QR codes refresh every few seconds to prevent users from sending screenshots to others living at different addresses.
## Seven days to complete verification
Members have seven days to complete the verification process through address confirmation.
## Unverified users face consequences
Those who fail verification lose Premium benefits and face a 12-month ban from joining new family plans.
## Users find workarounds
Some users bypass verification using video calls and screen sharing to scan changing QR codes.

> My sister got that message two days ago. I video called her son and shared my screen pointing at my tablet with the changing QR code. She was able to scan the code with her phone from her son’s screen. We only needed 4 devices for this ;)
## Key takeaway

Spotify requires family plan members to verify addresses via QR codes, risking ad exposure or a 12-month ban for unverified users.