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San Francisco, CA – Artists are launching a significant boycott against Spotify following revelations that CEO Daniel Ek has invested heavily in a German company developing artificial intelligence software for military weapons, including advanced drone technology.
Last month, Spotify CEO Daniel Ek led a substantial €600 million (approximately $700 million USD) investment round in Helsing, a firm dedicated to enhancing military hardware and weapon systems with AI. Notably, Ek also serves as Helsing’s chairman, solidifying his deep involvement in the defense technology sector.
In a direct response to this controversial move, the acclaimed art-rock band Deerhoof announced the removal of their entire music catalog from Spotify. The band unequivocally condemned Ek’s investment, stating, “We don’t want our music killing people.”
Ek, whose personal net worth is estimated at a staggering $10.3 billion, has overseen Helsing’s expansion into AI-powered military drones and sophisticated surveillance technology. Deerhoof emphasized that the decision to exit Spotify was an easy one for them, citing not only profound ethical concerns regarding Ek’s investments but also long-standing dissatisfaction with the streaming platform’s notoriously low artist payouts.
“AI battle tech is the hot new item for the super-rich,” the band remarked, critically highlighting the growing militarization of advanced technology. They acknowledged, however, that while their independent status allowed them to leave Spotify, many other artists who rely heavily on the platform for income might not have the same option.
Helsing, which specializes in AI-driven battlefield reconnaissance, initially received significant funding from Ek’s investment firm, Prima Materia. Deerhoof went further, dismissing Spotify itself as a “data-mining scam” and issuing a powerful call to action for fellow artists to reject any digital platform with ties to weapons development.
The band has assured their global fanbase that their music will soon be accessible on other streaming services. As public awareness and backlash grow, industry observers anticipate that more artists may follow Deerhoof’s principled lead, intensifying pressure on Spotify and its leadership regarding ethical investment practices.