Spotify limits features from is Web API, impacting third-party developers and AI apps

Spotify has announced significant changes to its Web API, restricting access to several features for third-party developers. This move affects functionalities such as song and artist recommendations, related artists, and various playlist endpoints. The changes are part of Spotify's efforts to enhance platform security, as detailed in their developer blog, but it's also seen as a way to limit third-party developers from building AI apps using data from Spotify listeners.

Effective immediately, these restrictions apply to new Web API applications and those still in development mode without a pending extension request. However, apps with existing extended mode Web API access remain unaffected by these changes.

The decision has sparked backlash among developers, particularly those creating AI-driven music recommendation services. Some developers, who were building non-AI related applications, also expressed frustration over losing access to these critical features. The limitations appear to be aimed at controlling how Spotify listener data is utilized by third-party apps, particularly in AI contexts.