ABSTRACT
This chapter charts the development of the consumer surveillance-based business model that dominates the contemporary music recording industry. Drawing from the surveillance capitalism framework, the contemporary processes music streaming applications use to extract large consumer datasets are explored. Emphasis is placed on the marketing value of music consumption data to both the music streaming providers and potential third-parties. The dominance of this surveillance-logic is considered in the context of its current and potential future impact on the music “product”, artist autonomy and the consumer experience. Specific focus is placed on the potential implications of the continued information inequity for both artists and consumers.
