Spotify confirms Turkish office opening

Spotify's strategic move to establish a new office in Istanbul by the end of June signals a significant deepening of its commitment to the Turkish market. This structural expansion, rather than a symbolic gesture, underscores Turkey's importance as a priority region for the global streaming giant and its long-term investment in the local music ecosystem. The move follows a resolution to a dispute with the Turkish government, aiming to foster stronger ties and local integration. The company highlighted the substantial growth of Turkish music globally, noting that in 2025, 52 million users outside Turkey listened to Turkish-language tracks, with export streaming surging over 160% since 2020. Spotify's renewed presence includes appointing Akshat Harbola to lead Turkish operations and plans to scale the Istanbul office by hiring new staff this year. Furthermore, Spotify has pledged to amplify the voices of emerging and female artists within Turkey. This development directly addresses demands from the Turkish government, which had previously investigated Spotify for alleged anti-competitive practices and insisted on a physical office presence. The spat last year, stemming from controversial playlists, highlighted the sensitive relationship between digital platforms and national regulatory bodies, particularly concerning cultural values and local content support. Spotify's commitment aims to balance its global operations with a localized approach, aligning with broader European trends towards digital sovereignty and platform accountability.