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Turkey Launches Antitrust Probe into Spotify Over Market Practices

By  |  July 6, 2025

Turkey’s Competition Authority has launched a formal investigation into Spotify, citing concerns that the music streaming giant may be engaging in anti-competitive behavior within the country’s digital music industry.

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    According to a statement from the regulator, the probe will examine whether Spotify’s licensing terms and operational strategies have created unfair obstacles for competing platforms or disrupted the distribution of royalties within the music ecosystem.

    The inquiry will also address claims that Spotify may be favoring specific artists or content creators by granting them greater visibility on the platform. Per a statement from the authority, the investigation seeks to determine whether such practices violate Turkish competition law by restricting equal access to market opportunities and weakening competitors’ ability to operate effectively.

    Spotify responded to the announcement by stating that it fully complies with all relevant legal standards in the jurisdictions where it operates.

    Read more: Spotify CEO Criticizes Apple’s EU Compliance, Calls for Regulatory Action

    In a separate development, Turkey’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism indicated it may take legal action against Spotify over content it deems offensive to the country’s moral and cultural values.

    Deputy Minister Batuhan Mumcu stated that despite repeated warnings, Spotify has not removed certain material regarded as disrespectful to religious figures and government officials. He added that some content on the platform has been identified as harmful to national unity and societal norms.

    “I want to state that I will personally follow the process and that every necessary step will be taken to ensure that no violation goes unpunished,” Mumcu said in a written statement.

    Source: Turkiye Today