Violeta Zeppa-Priedite, head of Sorainen Latvia Corporate Crime practice has recently mentioned that the development of various social networks and online platforms has not only created new opportunities for people to consume and publish different types of content, but unfortunately has also opened up new horizons for criminals to engage in illegal activities. As the digital environment evolves, so do the innovative methods used by criminals seeking to launder the proceeds of crime. The forms and methods of money laundering are becoming more varied and, in a sense, more “creative”.
Spotify has previously been criticized for allowing users to play it rather than channelling revenue towards real artists. It was recently estimated that 10% of all streams on the platform are generated by automated listeners and that Spotify subscribers can make USD 1,200 (EUR 1,140) a month by listening to their own song on repeat. So far Spotify has rejected these claims.