Downloadify icon Downloadify/GitHub. A developer published a Chrome extension called Downloadify designed to let people download MP3 copies of the songs they stream over Spotify's Web-based. May 7, 2013 - A new Chrome extension lets Spotify users permanently download. As noted by Dutch website Tweakers, the Downloadify tool appears to.
A new Chrome extension lets Spotify users permanently download any song currently available from the streaming music service, a massive slip-up that could quickly upset record labels and music publishers. As noted by, the Downloadify tool appears to take advantage of nonexistent encryption in, which the company launched in beta back in November. By simply installing the extension — freely available in the Chrome Web Store — and starting to play a song, users will download a full, DRM-free MP3 file of the track. Spotify allows its premium users to 'store' music files locally so long as they keep their monthly subscription active, in turn providing royalties to artists and industry groups. But thanks to this non-sanctioned 'tool,' any customer can ransack Spotify's 20 million-plus song catalog. The Verge recommends against our readers using Downloadify; its very purpose should be enough to have you questioning its legality.
We've reached out to Spotify and Google for more information. Update: Downloadify has been removed from Chrome's Web Store, but is still available via a repository at GitHub.
A Google spokesperson wouldn't discuss Downloadify specifically, but says the company removes apps 'that do not comply with our terms of service.' Spotify says it's aware of the issue with its web player and is 'currently working on a fix.' Update 2: Spotify has now to prevent Downloadify use.
Source:. Via.
This is why we can't have nice things. Spotify's web player has been rolling out to more users since its, but today an extension popped up in the Google Chrome store (it's already been pulled) allowing users to download songs as MP3 files. According to the notes left by its author, the company wasn't using any encryption on its HTML5 player, making it a pretty simple project to put together. We're waiting to hear back from Spotify about the breach, and while Google appears to have been quick on the ball to remove the extension - in a similar manner to how it's treated YouTube download tools in the Chrome Web Store - hopefully this won't give others pause on distributing premium content using HTML5.