Turkey Probes Spotify Over Competition and Cultural Concerns

Turkey's competition authority has launched an investigation against Spotify after allegations that the streaming company distorts competition in the country's music industry.

» Published: July 05 2025

Turkey Probes Spotify Over Competition and Cultural Concerns
Photo: Joakim Ståhl/SvD/TT

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According to a written statement from the authority, the investigation will, among other things, examine whether the platform discriminates against certain artists.

At the same time, Turkey's Minister of Tourism and Culture, Batuhan Mumcu, accuses Spotify of not showing consideration for the country's "cultural and moral values" - and says that legal action has been taken.

The minister writes on X that Spotify's content "insults the faith" and "discriminates" against Turkish artists.

It is supposed to be about content on Spotify that does not take into account religious aspects related to the Prophet Muhammad, as well as attacks on Emin Erdogan, the wife of the country's president Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Spotify says in a statement that they are cooperating in the competition authority's investigation, which does not mention the allegations of religious and moral transgressions.

Earlier in the week, it was announced that four people from the satirical magazine LeMan had been arrested in Turkey after the magazine published a drawing of the Prophet Muhammad. However, the magazine's editor-in-chief believes that the image has been misinterpreted.

Corrected: In an earlier version, an incorrect reason for the investigation was stated.

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By TTEnglish edition by Sweden Herald, adapted for local and international readers
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