Category: Social Media

Social Media

Spotify Investigates Massive Data Scrape Amid Claims of Audio and Metadata Leak

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

Spotify has confirmed it is actively investigating an incident involving unauthorized scraping of its platform, after reports surfaced alleging access to hundreds of millions of rows of track metadata and millions of audio files. The streaming company said it has already identified and disabled nefarious user accounts linked to unlawful scraping and has implemented additional safeguards to prevent similar incidents in the future.

In a statement, a Spotify spokesperson said the company has stood with the artist community against piracy since its inception and continues to work closely with industry partners to protect creators and defend their rights. According to the report, the alleged scrape includes around 256 million rows of track metadata and 86 million audio files, with plans for distribution via peer-to-peer networks in bulk torrents totaling approximately 300 terabytes. As of December 21, however, the report indicates that only metadata, not music files, has been publicly released.

Spotify acknowledged that its investigation found a third party had scraped public metadata and used illicit tactics to circumvent digital rights management in order to access some audio files on the platform. The company emphasized that the investigation is ongoing and that it continues to actively monitor for suspicious behavior across its systems.

The report, first highlighted by Anna’s Archive, prompted strong reactions across the technology and music industries. Commentary circulating online, including a LinkedIn post by Yoav Zimmerman, CEO and co-founder of Third Chair, suggested that such a scrape could theoretically enable individuals to create personal, unauthorized versions of a music streaming service, with the main barriers being copyright law and enforcement.

Despite the claims, Spotify’s total catalog reportedly exceeds the number of audio files referenced in the report. Still, industry observers noted that even partial access could eclipse existing open music data repositories such as MusicBrainz, which contains around five million unique tracks.

Anna’s Archive, which typically focuses on books and academic papers, said the Spotify project aligns with its stated mission of preserving humanity’s knowledge and culture, describing the scrape as an attempt to build a music archive aimed primarily at preservation. The group acknowledged that Spotify does not contain all of the world’s music, but described it as a significant starting point.

As Spotify continues its investigation, the incident has reignited broader debates around digital piracy, data security, copyright enforcement and the challenges faced by streaming platforms in safeguarding content at scale.

Social Media

Spotify Wrapped 2025 Arrives with New Features, Clubs, and Interactive Listening Insights

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

As the year winds down, music lovers have a new reason to celebrate — Spotify Wrapped 2025 is live, ready to reveal the soundtrack that shaped your year. After months of discovering new artists, rediscovering familiar favorites, and exploring playlists across genres, this year’s Wrapped offers a refreshed and more immersive look at each listener’s audio habits. First introduced in 2015, Spotify Wrapped has evolved into a global tradition, and the 2025 edition pushes the experience even further with new interactive features and deeper insights.

Covering listening activity from January through mid-November, Wrapped highlights each user’s top artists, songs, genres, and total minutes spent on the app. This year it also includes refined reports that analyze listening style, determine a “listening age,” and present a short quiz that challenges users to guess their top song of the year. Spotify’s updates also extend to podcasts and audiobooks, with personalized highlights such as top genres and even special messages from favorite authors or podcasters.

A standout addition this year is Wrapped Party, a new way to turn listening data into a friendly competition among friends. Up to ten people can join, and each participant receives awards based on their unique listening habits.

Depending on who’s in the group, users can see who logged the most minutes, who shares the most musical compatibility, or who is the most devoted fan of their top artist. Another major update, Wrapped Clubs, groups listeners into musical communities based on shared tastes. There are six clubs—Cloud State Society, Grit Collective, Serotonin, Full Charge Crew, Cosmic Stereo Club, and Soft Hearts Club—each representing a different listening personality. Within these clubs, users are assigned roles like archivist, curator, collector, specialist, and more, based on how their habits compare to others in the group.

Spotify Wrapped 2025 is available in nearly every region where Spotify operates, with a few participation requirements. Users must have listened to at least 30 tracks for more than 30 seconds each and streamed at least five different artists throughout the year. Wrapped can only be accessed through the mobile app on iOS or Android, where a dedicated Wrapped tab appears at the top of the screen. From there, listeners can explore their story and browse the top songs, artists, podcasts, and audiobooks in the U.S. and around the world.

This year’s Wrapped brings back the nostalgia and excitement fans look forward to while introducing fresh and engaging ways to understand how they spent the last year immersed in the world of audio.

Social Media

YouTube Introduces AI ‘Super Resolution’ to Enhance Low-Quality Videos Up to 4K

Tanisha Cardozo

YouTube is bringing artificial intelligence to the heart of its viewing experience with the launch of “Super Resolution”, an advanced AI-powered upscaling feature that enhances low-quality videos automatically.

The new tool, announced through YouTube’s official blog, uses machine learning to generate higher-resolution versions of videos originally uploaded below 1080p. The platform aims to make even older, standard-definition videos appear in HD or up to 4K quality, improving clarity, sharpness, and detail.

When active, viewers will see a “Super Resolution” label in the video settings, allowing them to switch between the AI-enhanced and original versions. Importantly, YouTube confirmed that creators will retain full control over their content—original files and resolutions will remain intact, and opting out of the upscaling feature will be possible.

In its statement, YouTube said:

“We’re starting with videos uploaded below 1080p, upscaling them from SD to HD, with the goal to support resolutions up to 4K in the near future. Creators will retain complete control over their library, as both original files and video resolutions will be kept intact.”

Beyond Super Resolution, YouTube also announced several interface updates: immersive previews on smart TVs, enhanced channel-specific search tools, and new QR code integrations for product-linked videos—making the platform’s ecosystem more interactive and commerce-friendly.

By introducing AI-driven video enhancement, YouTube joins a growing wave of platforms using artificial intelligence to restore and upscale legacy media. The move could redefine how audiences experience older videos while allowing creators to maintain consistent quality across their channels—without the need to reupload or re-edit existing content.

Social Media

Netflix Unveils Interactive Features, Party Games, and New User Experiences for 2025

Tanisha Cardozo

Netflix is entering a new era of interactivity and shared entertainment. During the TechCrunch Disrupt conference, Netflix Chief Technology Officer Elizabeth Stone unveiled a lineup of updates that will transform how viewers watch, play, and engage with content on the platform. The company is leaning into live participation, gaming, and personalized experiences that bring a fresh sense of community to streaming.

One of the biggest updates is the introduction of second-screen tools designed to make viewing more interactive. Audiences will be able to take part in live polls and real-time voting, influencing outcomes as shows unfold. This feature was tested earlier this year during the live cooking show Dinner Time with David Chang, and Netflix plans to expand it with the reboot of Star Search launching next year. Viewers will have the opportunity to vote for contestants directly through their TVs or phones, while those watching later will miss the voting window — keeping the experience live and engaging.

Netflix also plans to extend real-time interactions to video podcasts, connecting with Spotify’s upcoming podcast integration. The platform’s push for interactivity doesn’t stop there — a new wave of “living room party games” will arrive later this year, with more expected in 2026. These games will let friends and families play together using their phones as controllers, echoing the fun of Jackbox-style game packs. Five titles are already lined up for release by the end of 2025, including LEGO® Party!, Boggle Party, Pictionary: Game Night, Tetris Time Warp, and Party Crashers: Fool Your Friends.

Alongside interactive experiences, Netflix is refreshing its visual design. The platform’s homepage will feature animated and themed experiences, beginning with a Halloween version followed by a Holiday theme in December and a Bridgerton-themed experience in development. Younger viewers will also see changes with a redesigned Kids profile featuring simpler navigation and a new “My Netflix” section that updates recommendations in real time while merging saved, watched, and liked titles.

For mobile users, Netflix is testing vertical video feeds that showcase short clips and highlight scenes from shows and films. The goal is to provide a casual viewing experience that fits modern habits without directly imitating existing short-form platforms. More developments in this area are expected through 2026.

Netflix’s upcoming updates make it clear the company is doubling down on innovation and audience participation. From live shows that invite your input to party games that turn your TV into a social hub, the streaming giant is reshaping entertainment into a more connected, interactive experience.

Social Media

Hashtags Are Dead: 3 Instagram Settings That Will Skyrocket Your Reach

Tanisha Cardozo

Hashtags once ruled Instagram. They helped users reach new audiences, find trends, and grow their following. But times have changed — and hashtags are no longer the growth tool they used to be. Today, most hashtags attract a general audience that scrolls past your content without engaging. If you’re still depending on hashtags to increase your reach, it’s time to rethink your strategy.

The new way to grow on Instagram is to focus on content that addresses real, relatable problems faced by your audience. People want value, not noise. That’s why Instagram’s new features are shifting the way content gets discovered. Instead of spamming hashtags, use the “Add Topic” option before posting your reels. It helps Instagram understand your content category and show it to users who are actually interested.

Next, don’t underestimate the power of alt text. It’s not just for accessibility — it’s also for discoverability. When you write descriptive alt text, you give Instagram’s algorithm more context, which improves your chances of reaching people who are searching for content like yours.

Finally, engagement is everything. Add interactive elements like questions, polls, or “comment your thoughts” prompts. The more your audience interacts, the more the algorithm rewards your post with visibility.

So yes — hashtags might be dead, but your reach doesn’t have to be. By using these three Instagram settings, you can attract a more meaningful audience, boost engagement, and grow your presence the smart way.