Spotify faces a class action lawsuit from consumers over its decision to discontinue support for Car Thing, a device designed to enhance in-car music streaming experiences.

Three plaintiffs—Hamza Mazumder, Anthony Bracarello, and Luke Martin—filed the complaint on behalf of all Car Thing purchasers between 2019 and 2024. The lawsuit alleges that Spotify's plan to terminate device functionality on December 9, 2024, renders the product obsolete after an unreasonably short period.

The Car Thing, launched in 2021, was marketed as a solution for vehicles lacking modern infotainment systems. Spotify initially introduced it in 2019 as a data-gathering initiative to understand car listening habits, with over two million people joining the waitlist.

Key points of the lawsuit:

• Plaintiffs claim they wouldn't have purchased the device knowing support would end so quickly
• The lawsuit argues Spotify failed to disclose its intentions to discontinue support
• While initially refusing refunds, Spotify has begun quietly issuing them to customers who provide proof of purchase

Spotify's official response states: "The goal of our Car Thing exploration in the U.S. was to learn more about how people listen in the car. In July 2022, we announced we'd stop further production and now it's time to say goodbye to the devices entirely. Users will have until December 9, 2024 until all Car Thing devices will be deactivated."

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