Spotify Breach Requires Android Users to Upgrade App, Re-Enter Password

Spotify is requiring people listening to its popular music service on Android devices to install new software as a safeguard against a recent security breach.

The break-in so far has only resulted in unauthorized access to one user's account, according to a Tuesday disclosure posted online by Oskar Stal, Spotify's chief technology officer. He said passwords and financial information were not stolen.

Spotify has more than 40 million users. A substantial number of them rely on Android, the world's most popular mobile operating system. Spotify users streaming on iPhones, iPads and Windows devices don't have to upgrade at this time.

Some users will be required to re-enter their passwords to log in.

And Android device users prompted to upgrade their Spotify application may have to deal with another headache: All previously saved offline playlists must be downloaded again.

On the company's blog, Stal said, "We have taken steps to strengthen our security systems in general and help protect you and your data - and we will continue to do so. We will be taking further actions in the coming days to increase security for our users."

The Spotify breach is just the latest intrusion into a prominent company. Just last week, e-commerce company eBay Inc. required its users to change passwords after its database was hacked. Thieves stole 40 million credit and debit card numbers from customers shopping at Target stores in November and December. The personal information of about 70 million Target customers was also snatched. The breach prompted many consumers to shop elsewhere.

Edited by NDTV Staff from original story by AP