• Spotify has quietly started locking song lyrics behind its Spotify Premium paywall, according to a report. This move is seen as an effort by the streaming platform to convert more of its free users into paying subscribers. Previously, song lyrics were available for free to all Spotify users, but now they can only be accessed by those with a Spotify Premium subscription.

• The decision to restrict access to lyrics has been met with criticism from some users, who argue that lyrics are an integral part of the music listening experience and should not be paywalled. Spotify has not officially announced or commented on this change, leading to speculation about its motivations and the potential impact on its user base.

• The article notes that Spotify has been exploring various ways to drive more users towards its paid subscription tier, including limiting certain features and content to Premium users. This latest move to lock lyrics behind a paywall is seen as the latest in a series of efforts by the company to incentivize free users to upgrade to a paid plan, which is crucial for Spotify's long-term financial sustainability.