A massive controversy has erupted after a former intern has alleged that Spotify stole her ideas for the famous Spotify Wrapped. Viral posts claim Spotify stole the Wrapped format from a design intern back in 2019. Her allegations have ignited outrage across the tech community.
Spotify Wrapped 2025 has dropped this week and filled every user’s feed with their top artists.
A viral tweet has become the talk of the town since it revealed a shocking theft allegation on Spotify. An artist named Jewel Ham has revealed how Wrapped evolved from an email and a playlist into an interactive story within the app.
Ham wrote in a post published to X: “I really invented the Spotify wrapped story concept as an intern project in 2019, and they haven't looked back since LMAO.”
In a follow-up tweet, she added: “don't work corporate kids ;)”
Ham also shared images of her original design concepts for Wrapped, going on to add: “to clarify, for those of yall unfamiliar with #SpotifyWrapped - it used to be an email and a playlist. since 2019, it has become an interactive user experience and that right there - was my idea!”
Ham pitched the swipeable story cards that make Wrapped perfect for sharing on social media. During her 2019 design internship, she built colourful mockups inspired by Instagram stories.
Some users are calling it a clear case of corporate theft, others are furious at what they see as misinformation, and the argument has taken over X within hours.
A user wrote on X: “All you need to know about Spotify Wrapped: 1. It was a 2019 internship project. 2. The intern was never hired. 3. The intern was a black woman.”
One user writing on Reddit: “I've worked as a photographer, designer, and writer for several companies and never owned a single thing I created. That's why companies hire creative people: to generate good content on behalf of the company.”
Another said, “Don't come up with good ideas as an intern. You won't get paid for those ideas and they'll probably make the company a ton of money when you gone.”
One user wrote, “Even if she did not invent Wrapped, she shaped what we see today. Why is it so hard to say thank you?” Another added, “Legal ownership is one thing. Ethical credit is another.”
Spotify Wrapped has become a famous online event to mark the end of the year. The company offers its users an insight into their listening habits over the last 12 months.
Earlier, it was sent out as an email link that let users find a playlist of their most-listened-to music of the year. Wrapped has become a fun social media event where the data pops up within the app. This can also be shared across various platforms.
Spotify Wrapped first launched at the end of 2016.
Also Read: Users Can Now Command Spotify’s Algorithm With New ‘Prompted Playlists’
The designer's claims have thrown Spotify into an unexpected spotlight, raising questions about intellectual property ownership, credit, and corporate accountability.
Spotify said that Wrapped is a team effort that has been built over many years. It also revealed that “their internal review found no link between Ham’s internship and the 2020 update.” The company added, “She was a paid intern, and ideas from interns do not always become features.”
Whether the allegations spark policy changes or ignite further controversy, the episode has already reshaped public conversations about innovation and recognition in the digital age.