Is the Spotify Pre-Save safe for you?

So, here’s the deal on the ominous-looking popup you see when trying to pre-save music on Spotify:

It very clearly looks like you have to agree to let Big Brother watch your every move in order to do this simple thing. Dig it:

I’d be suspicious, too!

I had a 30-minute support chat with Distrokid (the distributor I’m using to get my new record on all the streaming services) to get to the bottom of this.

The Short Version

These permissions are necessary for Spotify and Distrokid to talk to one another and allow the pre-save—and will only be used in this way.

The longer version

Here’s the transcript of our chat…

ME: the allowances required of the pre-save service are alarming to our fans.

DISTROKID: Those permissions allow the pre-save to automatically add your release to your fans' libraries once they click the link. Please rest assured, we don’t have access to any store tools or your fans’ personal details, as their security and privacy are very important to us.

ME: Cool. But, I am concerned about my fans' privacy with DK, as it is laid out pretty clearly in that screenshot, right? I'm not sure how to interpret that any other way.

DISTROKID: I completely understand your concerns. It can definitely feel a bit invasive when an app requests this level of access, but for DistroKid and Spotify, these permissions are essential to enable the "instant" features to function properly.

ME: Does that seem kind of sus?

DISTROKID: I understand why it might seem a bit suspicious, but rest assured, these permissions are solely to ensure your release is added directly to your fans' libraries once they approve it. Beyond that, no other actions will be taken.

Summary

In terms of pre-saving our record: I’d like to believe that Distrokid was being straight with me regarding the purpose of these permissions. If it were me I’d likely take a flier and pre-save the record.

However, I want you to make your own decision based on your own level of comfort and trust with the situation.

Thanks for all of your support, however you like to show it!