Spotify to axe 1,500 jobs to cut costs

4 December 2023, 10:04

App Stock
App Stock. Picture: PA

The technology firm said it will axe 17% of its workforce to be more efficient in the face of slower growth.

Spotify is to cut almost a fifth of jobs at the music streaming business in a move affecting about 1,500 posts.

Bosses at the technology firm said in a note to staff that it will axe 17% of the workforce in a bid to be more efficient in the face of a growth slowdown.

The company employs around 9,300 people globally.

It did not disclose how many roles would be affected in the UK but employs 881 people in the country, according to its latest annual report.

This would suggest around 150 jobs in the UK may be at risk.

Daniel Ek, chief executive of Spotify, said: “Considering the gap between our financial goal state and our current operational costs, I decided that a substantial action to right-size our costs was the best option to accomplish our objectives.

“While I am convinced this is the right action for our company, I also understand it will be incredibly painful for our team.

“To be blunt, many smart, talented and hard-working people will be departing us.”

He said the business will “build an even stronger Spotify” in 2024 as a result of the cuts.

It is the latest set of job losses at Spotify this year, with the company first announcing it would cut around 600 roles in January.

In the summer, the Sweden-based business said it would cut around 200 jobs in its podcasting unit as it continued to reduce costs.

The company also increased its subscription fees in the UK, US and Australia in July, as it said it would pass cost increases on to customers.

By Press Association

More Technology News

See more More Technology News

Hands holding the iPhone 16

How smartphones powered the AI boom in 2024

London skyline

US investor to snap up maritime AI specialist Windward for £216m

Donald Trump

How will a second Trump presidency impact the tech world in 2025?

Morning drone (002)

Drone project reaches ‘important milestone’ with final trial flights

Prime Minister hosts Chanukah reception

AI tech giants should not be subsidised by British creatives, Starmer signals

Dr Craig Wright arrives at the Rolls Building in London for the trial earlier this year (Lucy North/PA)

Computer scientist behind false Bitcoin founder claim sentenced for contempt

Google has been contacted for comment (PA)

ICO criticises Google over ‘irresponsible’ advertising tracking change

Some 22% of consumers have increased their use of second-hand shopping apps in the past three months (Depop/PA)

Millions of Britons earning average £146 a month on second-hand platforms

ChatGPT being used via WhatsApp

ChatGPT joins WhatsApp to allow anyone to access the AI chatbot

A Facebook home page on a laptop screen

Meta fined more than 250 million euro by Irish data commission following breach

Finger poised above WhatsApp app on smartphone

Ending use of WhatsApp is ‘clear admission’ Government was wrong, claim Tories

Phone with WhatsApp on the screen

Scottish Government to cease use of WhatsApp by spring, says Forbes

Open AI

OpenAI rolls out ChatGPT search engine tool to all users

Most people happy to share health data to develop artificial intelligence

Government launches consultation on copyrighted material being used to train AI

Debbie Weinstein

Google names UK executive as president for Europe, Middle East and Africa

The Apple App store app on an iPad (PA)

Shopping and Roblox named among most popular Apple App Store downloads of 2024