The company is Access Industries and the Founder and Owner is Leonard Blavatnik

Along with what’s in the title, he is accused of reputation laundering against Ukraine and has been personally sanctioned by Volodymyr Zelenskyy. He was also part of a WhatsApp group involving some of the United States’ most powerful business leaders with the stated goals of “changing the narrative” in favour of Israel and “helping win the war” against Gaza.

Everything is in the linked Wikipedia article about him, mostly under the “Controversies and disputes” part.

I switched to Deezer after seeing it recommended as a better Spotify alternative here on Lemmy, but after finding all this I immediately stopped using it. It’s as bad as the shit Spotify does and has done IMO. I’m not here to recommend or push an alternative, but if I can give info on what I use now if someone asks.

  • ikt@aussie.zoneEnglish
    1·
    2 days ago

    what is end stage capitalism? is this a euphemism for you can’t afford spotify?

    • cyborganism@piefed.caEnglish
      5·
      2 days ago

      Can’t afford any freakin thing, really.

      I want to go see a live show to encourage an artist directly? It costs an arm and a leg in fees because one company owns all the show ticket offices in all the venues.

      • ikt@aussie.zoneEnglish
        1·
        1 day ago

        damn! hope you are able to get a good job soon and make loads of money so you can afford things

        Spotify is really one of the best things ever invented for me :)

        • cyborganism@piefed.caEnglish
          2·
          1 day ago

          Or how about we break up the monopoly for the event tickets business and make the outrageous dynamic pricing tactic illegal so we can finally afford to go see live events at decent prices.

          • ikt@aussie.zoneEnglish
            1·
            1 day ago

            how about we set our plans on more realistic goals like getting a job that pays well?

            I’m not the government and neither are you, voters don’t prioritise this issue so suggesting we just pop on down and break up the ticket selling monopoly is essentially meaningless

            • cyborganism@piefed.caEnglish
              1·
              18 hours ago

              You must be trolling.

              Many artists have issues with the ticketing services and recognize there is a predatory monopoly. Even Taylor Swift has a problem with it.

              And there are no normal jobs that pay enough to afford a regular music concert ticket at over 500$. Heck, I make 6 figures and couldn’t afford that with the current cost of living.

              • ikt@aussie.zoneEnglish
                1·
                11 hours ago

                And there are no normal jobs that pay enough to afford a regular music concert ticket at over 500$. Heck, I make 6 figures and couldn’t afford that with the current cost of living.

                YOU must be trolling

                How many music concerts are you going to that are over $500?

                Do you exclusively go to Taylor Swift VIP section only?