United States of America: Attorney General announced investigation into Spotify, Apple Music, Pandora, Amazon Music, and YouTube Music over alleged undisclosed promotional practices

On 22 April 2026, the Texas Attorney General announced an investigation into music streaming platforms, including Spotify, Apple Music, Pandora, Amazon Music, and YouTube Music, concerning alleged payola-type practices. Payola generally refers to the acceptance of undisclosed payments in exchange for preferential promotion, a practice historically associated with radio broadcasting and regulated under federal law. It was noted that, as streaming platforms have become central to music distribution, questions have arisen as to whether comparable arrangements may affect competition and transparency in the digital environment. The investigation will examine whether the platforms have entered into undisclosed financial arrangements with record labels, promoters, or other third parties that may influence the visibility, playlist placement, or recommendation rankings of certain songs or artists. As part of the inquiry, the Attorney General has issued Civil Investigative Demands to each of the companies, requiring the production of relevant information.